GUADALAJARA OPEN

October 18, 2022

Giuliana Olmos

Gabriela Dabrowski

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You have been doing very great as double players. However, what still remains to be done to improve your game strategy?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: Thank you.

I think we have lost in the last second half of the year only really against the top teams. So I think it will just be about us raising our level a little bit higher because we were really close in a lot of matches against the best teams. So we're almost there.

I think that we need to keep being brave in the big moments, and I think working together as a team to find what strategies work against those top teams and then see if it works.

GIULIANA OLMOS: (In Spanish.)

Q. I have read both of you take care about mentality through meditation, through books. Would you share a special motivation goal that defines you as a team?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: A special what did you say?

Q. Mentality code that defines you as a team.

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: I don't think we share the same one (laughing). I have my own, and she has her own.

Mine is kind of to just play free and not care about the results of my shot. If I play free, then usually my best tennis comes. If I start to care too much, I get too tight.

For Giu-Giu it's different.

GIULIANA OLMOS: (In Spanish.)

Q. I have two questions. First, Gabby, do you feel some kind of pressure being partner of a local tennis here in Mexico?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: Yes, but it's a good pressure. I'm really excited to play in front of the crowd here.

I know that they're amazing. I watched Giu-Giu play in the year-end Finals in Guadalajara, and I saw the crowds were phenomenal all week. I expect nothing less here.

I understand that there's some pressure. I hope I can play well. But I think it's really exciting that people love to come and watch tennis. That's the main point, which is great.

Q. Do you think this is the time for defeat Coco and Jessica?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: In this tournament?

Q. In this tournament.

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: If we play them.

GIULIANA OLMOS: We have to get there first.

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: We have to get there first. That's true.

Q. Do you consider Mexico at your home?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: My home? Do I feel at home?

Q. The Mexican fans, do you like?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: Yeah, I do. Yeah, I love when the fans are excited about their sports. I hope if I'm not playing well that they're nice to me (laughing). That's the main thing, and that they're supportive.

I think it's just great when a country really respects their athletes and respects sport and how it unites everyone and brings everyone together and makes it a really fun event.

Yeah, I think other countries could look at Mexico and say, Oh, why do you love sports so much? What does it mean to you? Because in Canada it's only now starting to grow and get better, and there are eyes on other sports other than hockey because in Canada it was always hockey. Now it's tennis. We have soccer. We have our own football league.

I've always appreciated that the Mexican fans love their sport.

Q. You're already qualified for the Finals. Does that relieve some of the pressure of playing here, or how do you feel about it?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: Yeah, it does for sure. I think we can play free, play our game. We don't have to worry about the result because we've qualified for one of the biggest events all year, and we're really happy to do that.

So I definitely think it takes some of the pressure off for sure.

GIULIANA OLMOS: (In Spanish.)

Q. What are the main challenges on building chemistry when it comes to play doubles?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: (Laughing) I think it's a challenge when you're very different people and you have very different personalities and likes and dislikes and strengths and weaknesses. I think then it can take more time to find chemistry.

But then I think once you do find it and you get to know each other well, then I think there's a lot more respect between two people because you actually worked really hard to come to the point that you're at in a partnership.

And, yeah, so I think sometimes chemistry is like that right away, and sometimes you have to work for it. I think there's no right or wrong formula. I just think you have to find what works for both players or even in life, in different partnerships too.

So we worked hard to find our chemistry, but I'm really proud of where we're at now.

GIULIANA OLMOS: (In Spanish.)

Q. And, Gabby, has Giu-Giu been a good host here in Mexico?

GABRIELA DABROWSKI: We only just got here yesterday, so we haven't really done anything where I could be hosted yet (laughing). I'm sure we will, and I'm sure Giu-Giu will be a great host.