DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 19, 2023

Liudmila Samsonova

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

L. SAMSONOVA/P. Badosa

6-7, 7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Talk us through the match. What happened after the first set? How did you come back?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: You know, I tried to stay just there on every point, to stay focused on every point, to try to stay there till the end. That was my goal.

I had so many chance in the first set, also in the tiebreak. I knew that it was everything right what I was doing. I just try to stay there mentally.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was your thought process going into the second set?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: Sorry?

Q. What was going through your mind in the process for the second set?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: You know, it was very positive. After the first set, as I said, was tough to accept and to start to play again. I think the things that I was doing were right, so it was okay, it happens. Maybe I will have many chances more, so...

Q. How important is this win for you going forward this year?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: Too much. It's unbelievable because 3 hour 21, it's a really big thing for me. It was important.

Q. The strap on your thigh, is it an injury?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: No, I have it already a lot of years. Just for prevention. I don't have any injuries.

Q. And your backhand, the game improvements you made?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: We are working on it, of course. It's better. I think I have a lot to improve.

Q. Good start in Abu Dhabi, good start here. Are you feeling good about your game?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: Yes, I'm very, very happy about this. I didn't expect this result in Abu Dhabi. I didn't play so good in Australia. It was unbelievable for me. I just said, Okay, let's keep working on every point.

Q. What kind of confidence has this given you?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: Yeah, I have more confidence in me because I think that my level now, it's the right one where I'm staying with the ranking position. I think it's the right thing. Like I'm confident, yeah.

Q. Tell us about the surface.

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: You mean in the central court?

Q. Yes.

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: It's amazing to play there. Also as I said in Abu Dhabi, I feel a lot of Russian fans. It's crazy. For us, it's so nice to play here seriously. For me, it's unbelievable.

Q. The balls are supposed to be fast. How did you feel playing today? Much of a difference?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: No, no. I like this surface. I like the conditions. I know that the central court, it's a little bit different between the other ones. But I like it.

Q. How was the pace of the ball?

LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA: I'm happy, yeah.