DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 24, 2023

Barbora Krejcikova

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

B. KREJCIKOVA/J. Pegula

6-1, 5-7, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Barbora, congratulations. Through to your second final here in Dubai. What made the difference against Jessica today?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: First of all, thank you.

I mean, it was really difficult match. I felt even though the first set was going really my way, I thought she's going to level up her game, that she's going to start playing better. And she did. She started to serve better. The games started to be really close.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to convert my chances in the second. I thought that I still have a big, big chance in the third.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can you tell us what that conversation was with the referee after your bathroom break.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: No, let's leave it on the court. Let's leave it on the court. Maybe the mics, they got it. Let's leave it on the court (smiling).

Q. You defeated world No. 3, world No. 2. Does that give you extra confidence before playing world No. 1?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: I mean, it definitely gives me a lot of confident. I think my game is improving with every match and I'm really happy with that.

I mean, tomorrow is going to be new match, new day, different player, different day definitely. I mean, I just have to sleep well today and just try to prepare the best way because I'm going to be playing the best player in the world.

Q. I want to know what you think or how you reset in the times that you go away from the court, after losing a set, maybe even after you win a set, how do you refocus?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Actually, not much. I just go and I just go change. I just go to the toilet. It depends. I mean, that's pretty much it. I'm not really thinking much about it.

I just go and try to, again, play my game, just try to play aggressive and push the opponent. I think I was able to do that. I was able to make her do some errors.

Q. You are one of very few players that have beaten her in the recent past.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Iga?

Q. Yes.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Okay.

Q. What did you do differently in that match? Was it something that you tried out and what do you want to do tomorrow?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I'm definitely not going to tell you what I'm going to do tomorrow, how I beat her in Ostrava (smiling).

I have to say, it's always a huge challenge. I love challenges. I expect it's going to be really difficult because she's in a great form and she's playing well. I believe that I'm playing well, as well.

I think that I can find a plan that can push her on a back leg. I believe that I have a chance.

Q. Yesterday you said that you are motivated by other players performing well.

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Yes.

Q. Do you also have additional motivation when you go out against the top players? Do you find yourself playing above yourself?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I mean, it's a big challenge. I really like playing the best ones in the world. That's why I'm playing tennis, why I work hard every single day. So yes.

Q. It seems you always play great in Dubai. Do you expect such a great week before you come here?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, to be honest, no, because last two tournaments I played I lost second round. Last week I lost first round. I mean, I was fighting. They were, like, really close, close matches, but it just didn't go my way.

I mean, this week I just came here and just told myself, Okay, let's enjoy it. I feel that I'm playing well. I need a little bit more luck.

I mean, as the matches wore on, I mean, I saved four match points in the second round. Finally I felt like, okay, this is the luck, this is what I was waiting for. I think from there on my game was just improving.

Q. Is there any area of your game that is bothering you, whether it was the toss or... Anything bothering you at this point in time?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, not really. As you mentioned the toss, that's how it is. It's not the first time I have to do it again. It's just something that I'm working on and something that I'm trying to improve. I have to say I improved but just sometimes it happens.

I think overall I'm trying to improve in everything starting on the tennis court, through the fitness, through the mental part and through the rehab and everything.

I mean, I feel good. I feel good, I feel healthy. I'm definitely 100% looking forward for the finals.

Q. So then the mental part, what do you do? How do you handle that?

BARBORA KREJCIKOVA: Well, I mean, there are different techniques that I can do. I mean, I'm an athlete, so I do have a sports psychologist. I mean, I talk to her on a weekly basis. I mean, we go through some stuff. We are trying to figure out where I need to get better.

I mean, every single week I'm working on it. I'm just telling her, like, how I felt, a summary of the week. That's how we go on.