MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 31, 2023

Sorana Cirstea

Mixed Zone

P. KVITOVA/S. Cirstea

7-5, 6-4

Q. (Off mic.)

SORANA CIRSTEA: There were a few games, I think about four games where I didn't play as well as I wanted, and then I came back into the match in the second set, but it was already too late.

Q. Did nerves kick in a little bit when you were serving for the first set?

SORANA CIRSTEA: No, I think, I mean, I was just doing my job. I was just doing my job, going business like normal. I wasn't really nervous today. I was just playing like every other match.

But I have to say she played quite well. Love-30, 5-2, she served really good there. It was new balls, it was very quick. Every time we had new balls she was swinging more. It was very hard to control.

Then at 5-3, 40-15, I mean, she came up with two great returns. I thought I served well, you know. The only thing I can say maybe I should have picked the other side.

But it goes like this, and then like she really started swinging. For a few games, I think maybe four, I dropped the level. Then as I mentioned, when I came back, it was too late.

Q. Looking overall at this tournament and indeed this whole Sunshine Swing, a quarterfinal and then a semifinal, I mean, that's probably above what your expectations were coming in?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yeah, I mean, I always know I have the potential, I always know I believe in my game. I think I have a very dangerous game. I worked very hard to be here.

But of course it's nice to back all this work with a result, and definitely a quarter and a semi were great. Of course I'm a bit sad about today, because I thought I had my chances. But again, I'm leaving the U.S. with a smile on my face and with a lot of things to improve as well.

Q. On that point, I mean, where do you go from here with the improvements you have made to your game with Thomas? You must have some confidence going into the rest of the season, yes?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yes, definitely I have a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season, and now we are going to go back to clay, and I actually love clay. I feel like I can play quite good on clay as well.

I'm excited. I think first tournament is going to be Madrid, so I have maybe like three weeks until that, and will try and rest a little bit and then work hard so I can be 100% on the clay court tournaments and ending up in Roland Garros.

Q. Where is your home base? Romania, back home?

SORANA CIRSTEA: Yes, I am based between Romania and Dubai. Of course now it will Romania, because Dubai is a bit too hot (smiling).