MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 30, 2023

Petra Kvitova

Press Conference

P. KVITOVA/E. Alexandrova

6-4, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Petra, congrats on the win today. Can you please share your thoughts on the match.

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I have to say it was a tough one, for sure, especially mentally. Ekaterina played amazing. I would say she was really striking the ball very clearly, and it was really difficult to face some serves of her. I'm glad that my serve helped me in important moments, especially in the third set.

The chance for break came. I took it, and yeah, it was very emotional in the end. I'm very happy that somehow I found a way to win it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. A lot of breakpoint opportunities for both of you that you had to save and get through. What was the key there just in terms of, yeah, staying with it and not getting too frustrated by the opportunities coming and going?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I have to say that my feeling is when I had a breakpoint, she always played something amazing. So it was, like, okay, she deserve it, that's how it is. I think she's not by luck in the quarterfinal, so definitely, I mean, she's playing well.

When I have faced a breakpoint, of course it's a different story little bit and tried to serve better, of course. She just took one. So hopefully I managed a few breakpoints to save nicely (smiling).

Q. What does it mean for you? You mentioned walking in here, first time semifinals in Miami, what does it mean for you to get this result?

PETRA KVITOVA: I'm kidding a little bit, all right? But definitely being in semi for the first time here, the humid weather which I don't really like, it's very nice definitely, was very humid today. With the clouds, felt a little bit better.

But I had tough matches before. So I'm really glad I got through somehow, especially in the two sets, right? So I saved some energy. Well, we will see tomorrow.

But means a lot, for sure. It's a big tournament. I never been in the semifinal here, so it's nice, especially when I played the quarterfinals in Indian Wells. So I'm happy that the momentum is there.

Q. You will face obviously Sorana next. You have one day to get ready for that match. What do you make her as an opponent? Similar to you, she's also having a bit of a surge here during this Indian Wells/Miami swing.

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, that's true, which is nice I think to be playing somebody who is in as good form as me, so it will be great matchup, for sure. We played few battles already during our years.

We practiced here before the tournament started as well. So it's kind of nice, I have to say, that, you know, somebody over 30 as well playing so nice. It's nice, it's fun. I'm happy for Sorana, how she's playing, with the run she has. Definitely would be nice to face her again.

Q. Just in terms of obviously managing the change in conditions from Indian Wells to Miami, you mentioned the humidity here, maybe a little bit more direct heat in Indian Wells. Are you surprised at how well you have been able to adjust your game between the two tournaments so quickly?

PETRA KVITOVA: Actually, I don't think about it, but if, when you ask, I think I'm a little bit surprised, yeah. But it's definitely different conditions, different balls, different surface, the weather, everything. Was a little windy in Indian Wells. Beginning here as well was really windy.

Well, yeah, actually I think the serve is helping me a lot. Then I feel a little bit better on the returns and in the rallies. So I think the serve is really the weapon.

Q. Do you feel like going into Indian Wells going into March, did you have like a training block at all before this?

PETRA KVITOVA: What do you think? (Laughter.)

Q. The answer is no probably.

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah.

Q. But do you see anything in terms of what might have triggered the consistency that we have seen from you this month?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, to be honest with you, I injured myself in Dubai. So I had a great week off before Indian Wells taking care of my leg.

I actually started to play in Indian Wells, so yeah, was a good preparation. But I think maybe on the other hand that, you know, because I had it off, I had the desire to play and be happy to be on the court and play well.

So, I mean, with me, you never know. It's always challenging, actually. To be my coach it's tough, I think, so I'm very happy that I can make them happy now (smiling).

Q. How do you see Rybakina and Jessica's actual moment during the other semifinal? How do you see them playing right now?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I think it can be very nice match, great battle, for sure. I think Jessica faced match points in the previous game. So I think she gonna be a little bit more free to play.

She always giving hard time, so definitely she gonna give everything back to Elena. She's on fire, for sure. When she's serving, it's really tough, so it will be definitely nice match for semifinal.

Q. Petra, you were just talking about you being a bit challenging. What's the most challenging thing about you for your coach and your other half?

PETRA KVITOVA: I think it's a good question for him, and he could be here for two hours and still talking.

So I think, well, you know I don't like practices, right? So that's probably the biggest challenge for him, that he can't really train what he wants, I would say.

On the other hand, I love to play matches, so maybe he's happy with this. But I think it's tough for coaches that they can't really put the work with me on the court. Then if I have a few days, he can do a lot of work, as well, but, you know, it's always -- you never know which day it will come, if it will be like coffee time or working time. So I think that's a little difficult to find out when I have like a mood to go for it or need to a little bit relax.

Yeah, if I'm injured, it's different story, for sure, but I think that over seven years which we are practicing together, he knows me pretty well when I need some time off and when I have to push.

So I think that even I have some days off, so I can still play some good tennis the day after. So I think he get used to already everything (smiling).

Q. With the rain yesterday and having to play today, just the challenge of not really having a day off when your opponent probably will have a day off maybe for the next two matches.

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, that's how it is. I mean, I'm happy that I got through, so I'm not saying anything bad. For sure, it was a long day yesterday waiting, but actually in the end I think it was better that they cancel, us playing today. Luckily I don't have to play two matches today. So that's important.

Well, I have to take it like any other tournament to play day by day. That's how I have to set it up. I had kind of two days off before, so yeah, I mean, we will see tomorrow if I have enough energy (smiling).