PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 18, 2023

Jelena Ostapenko

Press Conference

J. OSTAPENKO/E. Raducanu

6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Well done. That was quite a performance tonight. Just talk us through your thoughts on the match and what you were happy with in your performance.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Yeah, I felt like I was playing really well, very aggressive today. Didn't give many chances to Emma, because I always expect a tough match against her because she's a great player.

Yeah, I'm really happy especially with the first round like this.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Today both Jabeur and Sabalenka went here and said the court probably this year looked slower than the previous years. I was wondering if you felt like this? Your matches, everything looks like very fast, but what do you think about the surface and the speed of the courts?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I was not here last year, but yeah, in general, I think it's pretty much the same, but this year I think it's a little bit different. It's not as slippery as it was before, which is good.

I mean, I always like the tournament here. I won obviously doubles here, so I have good memories. Yeah.

Q. You played practice on every court, I think. Also played doubles on Court 1. I was wondering about the speed, if it is the same or is there something that changes from court to court?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I think it's pretty much the same, because the courts were made of the same material. It's just like the center court is much nicer, and this is, how do you say, bigger stands and just in general looks bigger comparing to like Court 2, it's a little smaller. But I think it's pretty much the same quality court.

Q. When you have a performance like you had tonight, do you walk off the court thinking, oh, I wish I could put that in a bottle, like I could do that all the time? What is the key to playing that well, as well as you did tonight?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I mean, I just enjoyed it today because, as I said, I played well. I was just very focused from the beginning of the match, as I said, because I expected a tough battle. It's never easy to play against Emma.

Yeah, I think it's more about mental and how much I was ready for the match. If I'm this much ready for every single match, then I think I can play well (smiling).

Q. When you won Roland Garros back in 2017, the whole season was a very strong one for you, it wasn't just that two weeks, from Charleston all the way through Seoul. What was the key to that year of not just obviously winning Roland Garros but then maintaining that level, you know, as best that you could that season?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: I was kind of fearless. I was not thinking too much. I felt today a little bit that way. I was just like going for the shots. Even I was missing, I was, like, It's fine, I will still go for the shots. That was the main thing because it took time away from her, and it was much harder for her to play against me.

Probably to bring back this fearless, but of course it's tougher when you get older. You start to think more and of course you want to play better and more consistent. When you have more thoughts, it sometimes doesn't end up better for you.

Q. Can you talk a bit about your coach situation? Because I saw someone, I didn't recognize him. Can I ask the name of your coach at the moment?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Yeah, we are doing a trial with Eduardo Bengoechea. He used to play. He was top 30 in ATP. Yeah, he's helping me this week.

Q. How did you get in touch with him?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: From my manager (smiling).

Q. Next you will play Ons, a player that you're familiar with and a bit of a contrast of styles there. How do you think your games match up on this surface? Because I think it will be your first time that you guys play each other on clay.

JELENA OSTAPENKO: On clay probably, yes. I remember we played in Eastbourne on grass.

Actually, no, I think we played one time maybe somewhere, ITF or something, I think. I don't remember, but I think in Poland somewhere.

Yeah, I think of course she's a great player. It's never easy, but I will try to just play my game and focus on myself and enjoy the match. For sure, it's gonna be a good match.

Q. I know that you had the illness obviously in America. But you started the year so well obviously with the quarterfinal, Australian Open. Do you feel like the level that you have this year, even despite the illness, is closer to where you want to be than, say, 12 months ago or, you know, before that? Like where do you see your level right now?

JELENA OSTAPENKO: Yeah, I mean, I feel like I'm playing more consistent, even like I lost against some player, but against like really good players who have great results this year.

Yeah, just in general I feel like a more consistent player. I don't have that roller coaster much, like anymore. But, I mean, in Miami, obviously because at Indian Wells I was sick, obviously like fourth round I had no energy because I was sick the week before, but yeah, in general I think this year I'm playing better than the other year.