ROLAND GARROS

June 4, 2023

Karolina Muchova

Press Conference

K. MUCHOVA/E. Avanesyan

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Karolina, congratulations, first time in the Roland Garros quarterfinals. What were your keys to the match today?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Thank you very much. Tough match. The keys, well, I again tried to play aggressive, going for the shots. I didn't know her too well, but felt like she was really getting better with the match, putting more balls in.

I felt like if I gave her a little space that she was taking it. She was playing lots of lines and putting me from one court into another. So in these hot conditions kind of here, it was a tough match.

I'm happy that in the key moments I went for it. I played something great and that I managed to win in two sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. What would you say have been the keys for you to translate your aggressive and attacking game to a slower surface as the clay?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Well, it is a little bit different, but, yeah, I'm trying to change as well to play some spin, sometimes go back, and then when the ball is shorter to go for it.

Keys, well, I had great matches here. With more matches I think I'm getting more confident on this surface. Yeah, it's been great so far. Not that the clay is my favorite surface, but it's going great (smiling).

Q. After the match, Fabrice Santoro paid you a wonderful compliment, said you have every shot in the book. And you said, But sometimes I have too many options, and your mind is racing. How hard is it in the heat of battle to have a clear mind?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: To have a clear mind? That's hard for me in every situation, not even just on court. But yeah, it's the same answer I said on the court. I'm trying to play the first option even though it's not the best one here and there.

It happens that I play the third or fourth. You know, it's something like terrible. I always am, Oh, I hope nobody saw this, but there is plenty of people around (smiling). So, yeah, I'm still working on this.

And then here and there I manage to take the first thing and here and there, no. It is like that sometimes. It's unbelievable shot, sometimes it's not so good. But I'm just going with it.

Q. Just making the quarterfinals on a surface that, as you say, is not your favorite surface, and especially at this part of your maybe career or season where you're trying to build your ranking back up and get that confidence and everything, what does it mean then for you to make the quarterfinals at Roland Garros?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: It means a lot. It's not my favorite surface, but I think I can play good on it. We worked a lot with my team. And again, with the matches I got in Rome and under the belt, it was great matches, even though I lost in fourth round, still it was a good performance.

We tried to build on that. I brought it here to Paris. Started well. Yeah, since then I'm a little bit on the roll and I'm glad that it goes this way. It was kind of our goal for me to be seeded in Wimbledon, to make the points on the clay. I think I'm getting closer at least.

Q. I'm interested in this first option as against third or fourth option. I heard you say it on court and you said it again now. You have so many options. Is it not a positive thing for you? You seem to be talking about it as if it's a problem of deciding, whereas actually you have shots that most of the other players don't have. Surely that's an advantage for you.

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Oh, yeah, I think it's like black and white. I think it has both sides. I think it's very good and it can be a curse as well for the fact when I choose the wrong option.

But I'm glad that I have -- I wouldn't call it problem, but I'm glad I -- how to say different than a problem. It's not a problem, but it's a good problem to have. (Laughter.)

Sorry, my English.

Q. Where does your variety come from? What shot gives you the most pleasure? Is it a perfect dropshot or a heavily hit drive? What gives you the most joy inside?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: The most joy inside... I think when I actually plan something and then I don't change it and I go all the way and it works, that's what gives me the most pleasure.

Of course when I hit some nice slice or dropshot, it's nice shot, but it's mostly about all those long rallies around, and then if I stick to the plan and I can keep myself focused and, yeah, that's what makes me the most happy then.

Q. I am English, and your English is better than mine. So don't worry about it.

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Yeah, I can hear your English (smiling).

Q. Lots of players understand their strengths, they understand their weaknesses, and they come up with a game plan based on that. Do you know your strengths and weaknesses or are you still trying to work that out?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: Yeah, there are for sure some weaker spots that we work on with the team and we put into practice, and there is always many things to improve, which is positive.

Yeah, with the team, we are very open-minded and we always try to find new things and to get better in every kind of, in every way.

Q. In terms of the clay, what is the challenge for you on this surface that you kind of embrace? What is the thing that in your head maybe you think is a, not problem, but a challenge, but for you to get the best out of your game and how do you solve that on this surface?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: The most challenging is that the rallies are long. You know, if I play on a faster surface, I know that if I hit fast forehand down the line that it's 90% it's done or I just go to the net and finish it.

Here, if there is a good grinder on the other side, it's spinning back and you have to run and it's for sure more physical, which is challenging for me. Yeah, to keep the focus and to still run and put a lot of power into every shot and the running on the court, that's probably the most challenging for me on the clay.

Q. Looking ahead then, facing Nastia, I believe, what is the challenge of playing Pavlyuchenkova here? How do you see that matchup on this surface, two players who are probably playing a lot better than their rankings would indicate at the moment?

KAROLINA MUCHOVA: We had few matches with Nastia, I think as well on the clay. Maybe Rome or -- Madrid, I think we played in Madrid on the clay. She's very good player. Handy and lots of power. Yeah, I think it's going to be great match.

I'll have to play my best to challenge her.