GUADALAJARA OPEN

October 20, 2022

Sloane Stephens

Press Conference

S. STEPHENS/C. Garcia

7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Strong performance today. Can you share your thoughts on the match.

SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I thought it was a great match. Obviously Carol has been playing great this season, she's been playing some great tennis. Great to get a win over such a solid player, someone who has been playing so well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You are going to face Jessica Pegula. I think you know her very well. You never have won against her. What do you have to improve for this game?

SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I just have to come out and play my game, obviously play the tennis that I've been playing. Compete, play hard. Yeah, see what happens.

Q. 2022 is a very good year for American tennis. Do you feel privileged or what do you feel about being in this generation?

SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I think we've always had a strong player field for American tennis, men and women. I think that obviously representing the U.S. has had its advantages because there are so many of us. I think it's only made us better, it's raised our level.

It made everybody I grew up playing with, my age group, we're all still competitively playing. We're all pushing each other to do better. It's nice.

I think obviously as a really strong country, we've always been strong. But to see us have win Billie Jean King Cup titles, have really strong teams like that, it's encouraging.

Q. I think Guadalajara brings you good memories. How do you feel about this, being back here in the quarterfinals?

SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I love it here. Obviously great memories from February, winning my last title here. So, yeah, excited and happy to be back here. Happy to be playing good tennis. Happy to be finishing off the last tournament of the year on a good note.

Q. How do you feel with Caroline?

SLOANE STEPHENS: Good. It was a good match. Obviously we both played well, I thought. A tricky match obviously with the altitude. She plays flat, so it was difficult to get a handle on the ball. She served well.

But, like I said, happy to be through. Happy to have won another match here in Guadalajara.