PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 23, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/A. Sabalenka

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, a tough match today. Just talk us through what you thought made the difference in the result.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, it was great match. She played great tennis. I think a couple of times I didn't play my best on my serve. That's what the key moments, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Despite the result, I can understand your feelings, but at the same time I think it was a completely different match from your side compared to last year. I think this time you played much, much better. Wondering if this feeling may help you to get over this quite quickly, or it's still tough?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Actually, I don't know. I think I'm getting better with accepting that I have lost this. Yeah, I mean, it's happen, it's in the past, I will learn this lesson and move on.

You know, like before I used to be really depressed after tough matches, but right now I think I'm a little bit older, so I understand that it's okay, it's happen. I just have to accept it and I just have to learn and improve what didn't work well today and try better next time.

Q. Did you say anything to Iga on your shake hands after the match?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I didn't say...

Q. Or afterwards?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I didn't say anything. She never said anything to me, so like I didn't say anything. I said everything I wanted to say to her on the speech.

Q. In terms of just you've gotten wins over her on hard courts before. Obviously clay she's a little bit of a different player. Can you kind of explain what maybe the differences are there in terms of you and Iga on clay versus you and Iga on a hard court?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think definitely on the hard court I have more chances against Iga. It's a little bit faster so I can put a little more pressure on her.

On the clay, I still think that I have -- I had a lot of chances today against her. I just didn't use it. My game wasn't there. I mean, it was there, but at the same time I was missing a lot of, not like easy shots but shots where I had time and I could put her under pressure, but I was missing today.

But definitely I think it's more rallies against her on the clay court, because she has this extra time. Yeah, she's moving really well. That's why it's a little bit tougher to play against her on the clay.

Q. Was it frustrating that you weren't able to get the break? I mean, that seems like a situation where you had those chances, but also I guess going into the match maybe expecting you would be able to break the Swiatek serve?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, yeah, I think serve it's not her weapon. Yeah, I had a lot of chances on her serve and I didn't make it. I think I was overtrying every time. I was like thinking a lot about that, and that's why I think I wasn't able to break her.

So, yeah, next time probably I will just stay a little bit calmer on her serve and understand that I will have a lot of chances and I don't have to rush the situation, you know.

Q. You promised already to come next year, and the next final, you will win the next final against Iga?

ARYNA SABALENKA: It's a question (smiling)?

Q. It's a question.

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. I wish we could say, yeah, next month I will win and it's will happen. (Laughter.) You cannot predict anything. I just hope that I will, you know (smiling).

Q. Are you in any way superstitious that you think, well, the fourth time? In Germany we say the third time usually it's going to happen?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Not really, you know. I don't think that way. I will just keep coming, keep trying until I get it, you know (smiling).

Q. I think and I really appreciate that you're in a good composure now. Mentally maybe you have some hints for us? Everybody knows things are not going his or her way. How can you get to learn to cope with that better and focus on the next goals?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I didn't get the question.

THE MODERATOR: Can you repeat that again?

Q. Everybody has things not going his or her way, so you may be able to give us some hints? Cope better, focus maybe on the next goals?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Oh, yeah. I mean, that's okay. That's sport. It's happen. That's my mentality like anything can happen, and if it's didn't go my way today, I will do everything I can so it's go my way tomorrow, you know, (smiling).

Yeah, I don't know. That's it.