ROTHESAY INTERNATIONAL

June 26, 2023

Harriet Dart

Devonshire Park

Press Conference

H. DART/Z. Shuai

7-5, 6-7, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Harriet, a great win for you today against a tough opponent. How important was the crowd today in getting you through that match?

HARRIET DART: Hugely. I thought she really stepped up her level the back end of the second set, and it was really, really challenging conditions. I was just really pleased to be able to get out the win in the end.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Is that the kind of match where it helps that you have had a good couple weeks behind you where you can build on some of that confidence?

HARRIET DART: I hope so. I mean, it was challenging even to finish the match out, but, you know, I got over the line and that was the main thing. Like I said, it was really, really tough conditions. I mean, the wind was one way one time, changing during the points, was really difficult.

Q. Does part of the confidence that you have on grass come from the fact, not that you played loads and loads and loads on it growing up, but the fact that a lot of other players haven't at all and are suspicious of it and that gives you the extra confidence on this surface?

HARRIET DART: I don't know. I always feel really comfortable on grass. I have had some really close matches against some great players. I definitely think grass is a leveler, maybe because people haven't played as much on it or, you know, even setting foot on it until they come to the UK (smiling).

Plus, you know, we've been so fortunate over the years to have Wimbledon and to come through juniors and all that, so I guess I have just been exposed more to grass courts than probably some other players, for sure.

Q. We saw the racquet smash after the second set, the release of emotion. How did you keep your emotions in check? Because it could have gone the other way in that third set.

HARRIET DART: Yeah, for sure. Again, it was very challenging today just with the conditions and, you know, I thought in the end I managed to step up my game when I needed to and kind of keep it together.

Yeah, I was just really pleased to be able to keep it together and fight till the end regardless of the end result.

Q. Kvitova or Ostapenko, any preference? How do you see either one?

HARRIET DART: Well, last week, if I had won my -- I lost 4 in third or 3 in third, I can't remember now, try and forget about it, in the quarters, and I think I would have played Ostapenko there. We haven't played each other since first-round juniors at Wimbledon, which I won, but that's a long time ago (smiling).

I mean, she's a great champion, Grand Slam champion, obviously feeling very confident after last week. She was playing great.

I played Kvitova here last year. She played a great match. She's again an amazing champion. I think she won her 31st title, which I think as a player you can only dream of. You know, both are in top form, and it's going to be a very, very tough match whoever I play. You know, I'll just focus on what I can control and use the crowd as much as I can.

Q. Who are you working with at the moment in terms of coaching?

HARRIET DART: I have been really lucky to have Colin Beecher on my side just during this grass court season. You know, Kyle is still injured, so he had a bit of time and I was fortunate enough that he allowed him to be with me during this time.

Q. Can you just talk a bit about his influence? People say he's a very calming figure to have around. What's the relationship with you two like?

HARRIET DART: Yeah, I have known Beech for a very long time. My mom and him are friends. They play the club tournament at the All England. They're club champions (smiling).

Yeah, so I have probably a different relationship with him in terms of I have got an off-court relationship before the on-court relationship. But yeah, no, it's been great to have around. He can hit with me as well. He plays a great level.

Yeah, I'm sure it's something a bit different for him as well. You know, he's been on the men's side for a really long time.

Q. Were you surprised to hear he's writing a book?

HARRIET DART: No (smiling). I have known about it a little bit of time. It's going to be good and I think there are going to be some good coffee recommendations as well.

Q. What are you doing agency-wise? What have you got lined up? Is that a priority?

HARRIET DART: No, I mean, at the moment my partner will be taking over that role. Yeah, we'll see what happens.

Q. Has Beech said anything about what he finds about the difference in working with WTA as opposed to ATP?

HARRIET DART: I mean, it's very different, that's for sure. But no, we haven't necessarily had a discussion about the differences, as such (smiling).

Q. Is it different in terms of like trajectories of ball flights or personalities or both?

HARRIET DART: I think everything. I think everything is very different.

Yeah, you know as well like people have very different personalities, whether it's on men's or women's. Depends who you work with.