PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 21, 2023

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/B. Haddad Maia

6-3, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Ons, a very dominant performance today. What were you so happy with about your performance?

ONS JABEUR: I think I really played correct tennis. Made every shot where it should be. Definitely did follow what my coach told me, and hopefully every match will be like this.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. When you say you did every shot correctly, you mean also the dropshot? Because I was thinking the dropshot you did 30-All, and then you broke Haddad Maia for the first time. I'm always thinking if you're trying to do improvisation or you think to do the dropshot in that moment?

ONS JABEUR: Sometimes just my hand goes like this. I don't even control. It's not connected to my brain (smiling).

I don't know. I think I was hitting every ball, and I didn't do so many dropshots. I think the key today was I really hit the dropshot very well.

She didn't know when I was gonna do it, and on these courts, if you really disguise your dropshot very well, you cannot really run for it.

I think the right moment, and especially I was like hitting hard and change it up, it was a very good tactic for today.

Q. Two days ago you had your tough match in three sets. How does your body feel today? Do you have enough time for recovery?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I had a nice good day off. My family came. Also my sister and the baby. So I had like a good energy around me. Yeah, I felt relaxed.

Just, you know, sometimes some rallies could be very difficult, but I think it was a good match today and I really rest really well.

Q. Is it always good for you to have a free day between matches or it's not so important?

ONS JABEUR: I think, yeah, it's good sometimes to have some days off. Definitely helps.

You know, especially in Grand Slams, usually you don't play the next day. So that's why I usually don't like to play doubles really. Just practice for like one hour and rest and prepare for the next match.

Q. There is a game behind us, and you're going to play with the winner. Do you have any preference, especially because Iga's comeback or may I say your good relations with her?

ONS JABEUR: I think they both play really well and both really bother me on this court, definitely.

Iga have a different game and really strong. You know, tough to beat her.

Karolina, the same. It's going to be a difficult match and different match for me.

I don't know. I mean, I wish I go to the final directly and not pick anyone (smiling). But I have to. I don't know. I haven't played Pliskova for a long time. Haven't played Iga, well, not long time.

Either way, I want to take my revenge, because last time I think I lost to both.

Q. Can you say what would be the difference in your preparation depending on who you're gonna play?

ONS JABEUR: Definitely we focus a lot on myself. Be more disciplined. Hopefully play like tactically play like today, you know, just stick to the game.

We'll play with both, you know, be unpredictable, make my shots. Will definitely be the same, either Iga or Karolina.

Q. Before the tournament, you said that you were surprised by how quickly you have been able to come back, because typically when you've been injured it's taken you a lot longer. So here we are. You're in another semifinal again. What has been the key to how quickly you have come back? I know you said it's patience before, but is it as simple as you're a better player, fitter player, smarter player? What do you think?

ONS JABEUR: I'd like to think that I'm smarter (smiling).

Definitely I think the experience also of being also a top-10 player. The stress around it, that it's a stature that I have to keep in each tournament. I think it's very important for me to, you know, to not lose to anyone, you know.

It wasn't great at Indian Wells and Miami, but, you know, just putting in the hard work and just, you know, having -- you're the favorite to win mostly in every match, you know. So I think that thing also keeps you on your toes and makes me want to do better and better.

Q. Do you have any rituals before matches? What are for you important to do?

ONS JABEUR: I don't like routines much. I always try to change what I do. But basically, I warm up, I try to recover. It's mostly three hours before the match so I don't throw up on the court (smiling). So that's good.

Just maybe have a little bit of treatment with my physio. You know, activate my eyes, my legs, just get ready for the match. Yeah, basically that's what I do.

Q. If you do play Iga, just in terms of obviously the high-profile matches you guys played last year, what is it that you need to do to get to that win?

ONS JABEUR: You know, the good thing maybe, Iga is not at the same level as she was last year. I'm gonna really focus on playing like I played her on grass at Wimbledon.

I think I'm moving well. I'm playing good tennis on this court. We focus to just go there and want to win even more, you know, because I know Iga doesn't give up. I think maybe the key is to be unpredictable with Iga, not knowing which shots I'm gonna do. I think that's really good to disturb her a lot.