PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 19, 2023

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/J. Ostapenko

1-6, 7-5, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Ons, incredible comeback. What changed after the second set for you?

ONS JABEUR: Honestly, I just tried to put the ball back in and tried to make her play one more ball.

It's difficult to play someone that's super-aggressive like her, but I'm glad that 5-4 game I managed to win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It was just yesterday when you were speaking about being patient. So I'm wondering if it was easy or difficult today to stay patient during the match against someone you said was super-aggressive, but at some point she wasn't give you even the chance to be in the rally.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I mean, definitely patience was one of the keys today, but I think most importantly was accepting that she was doing, you know, great and hitting winners. After all, it's her game.

For me, I was, like, Okay, she cannot play like this the whole match. If she does, then she deserves to win, obviously.

For me, I just think, especially on the return games, the moment I stayed patient, the better that I played, especially just returning one ball and give it more spin. That's where I think I was, you know, getting more and more rhythm. It was better during the game.

Q. What's the most important thing for you about today's win and performance?

ONS JABEUR: I think I proved to myself like even if I wasn't feeling great, you know, about so many things, my serve, my shots, and playing someone that obviously could finish any time, but believing in coming back and being patient, and like it was kind of a game, you know, like chess. I was finding like the right moment to make a move. I don't know if they play like this chess or not, but I figured. I don't play chess at all. What's the other game we played?

Q. Pachisi.

ONS JABEUR: I think I really was managing like the return, the serve, finding the key to really get back into my game.

Q. Was there a moment in that second half of the second set where you were thinking the momentum is changing, is probably changing? Was there a moment?

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I mean, starting to win my serve. That was the key also. Started to play more and more shots. I think it started a little bit.

You know, I never had a break point. It was kind of very tough for me to really change it up the momentum in just one game, especially when she was serving for the game and I think it was new balls or something. When they said "new balls," I was, like, No way.

I think it was great overall. For me today was patient from the first -- I mean, first half of the second set and then, you know, the game just started, it was equal starting from the third set.

Q. We have been talking about just a question on the tournament as a whole. It is quite special that many players come and have very tough opponents in the first round or in the second round. Is that something you're used to or something that sort of unnerves you?

ONS JABEUR: Not really. I don't think there is a lot of tournaments when you have -- maybe this one and Doha or something. I don't know. This year was pretty tough.

But, you know, just you feel like the competition already starts from the first round, but it actually could be quarters or semifinal, even final, you know. It is a very tough draw.

But you kind of like it. It's very exciting. You see so many great matches today. A lot of like ex-top players and current top players playing against each other. That's really tough. And I think that's the beauty of this tournament. You know, just popcorn and watch (smiling). I don't know why -- I'm craving popcorn probably.

Q. Looking ahead, Beatriz or a rematch of the Wimbledon final.

ONS JABEUR: Oh, man, Wimbledon final on clay (smiling). You know, I watched a little bit her playing today. Definitely is going to be difficult match either, but yeah, if it's Elena, I'm definitely going for my revenge. I will have more time this time on this court. But definitely a lot of respect for her.

If it's Maia, you know, she's an amazing player. She plays great against top players. Again, let's hope they play five hours and fight and both tired (smiling).

Q. Did you watch the match yesterday, the Champions League match for Real Madrid?

ONS JABEUR: No, I only watch Real in finals (smiling). I know they are going to go really good, smooth.

No, I saw they won 2-Love. Definitely Madridista fan. I was seeing some matches if I can go in Madrid, but again, it's in the middle of the tournament. Yeah, my dream is to go and watch them play, so hopefully they play -- where is the final this year?

Q. Istanbul.

ONS JABEUR: Istanbul. Okay. I will be in Istanbul. It's during the French Open, no?

Q. 10th of July. June. Sorry.

ONS JABEUR: Okay. You want to go to Istanbul? Okay. Let's go. Thank you, guys.