ROTHESAY INTERNATIONAL

June 30, 2023

Daria Kasatkina

Devonshire Park

Press Conference

D. KASATKINA/C. Giorgi

6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. You're into the final here at Eastbourne. Just talk us through the match today and also how tough the conditions were for you.

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, yes, this week conditions are pretty tough in Eastbourne, but I'm happy how I was able to, you know, keep the focus and be able to keep the level of the game through all the matches. Yeah, just very excited to be in finals.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How important are obviously these warmup tournaments going into the bigger slams and building up that momentum?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, of course it's very important, especially on grass. As I always say, we don't get much opportunities, not many tournaments on grass. So we need to squeeze at least as much as possible.

Especially like this swing of Birmingham, Eastbourne -- I didn't play Birmingham, but in general, these tournaments are very convenient. They are all in the same country. You can travel by bus or car, so it's very easy to get to the tournaments. You don't spend time traveling much.

So, yeah, it makes very convenient, especially here in Eastbourne. It's just less than two hours to go to London after, which is amazing.

Yeah, it's important also with the more matches you play, if you win, it's perfect because you get confidence. Yeah, I mean, actually wins, it's like the best medicine (smiling).

Q. Would you say your opponents have pushed your level each round during the week a little bit higher each time?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, I think, yeah, I've got a bit tough draw in this tournament. I need to really increase my level through all the matches. Yeah, very much was very difficult.

Especially today, in the end of the match, Camila, she start to play much better, much more aggressive, more stable. To close the match, I needed to increase my level, which I did, and I'm really happy about it.

Q. You spoke earlier in the week about back home in Russia and Ukraine as well. How has it felt this week being back in the UK after the ban last year?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, it feels very good, honestly (smiling). I always liked, you know, playing in UK. I mean, I had good results here and good memories.

Yeah, I think the best grass is here (smiling). Yeah, I mean, I was enjoying playing this week here and playing in the finals also. So, yeah, really happy to be back and to have this opportunity again.

Q. The way in which you left Paris, you were a little bit unhappy because of a few boos. Have you felt any animosity this week, or has everyone been very welcoming?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, the atmosphere here is incredible, I must say. We have a lot of people coming like from the early rounds watching, supporting.

Yeah, the atmosphere in the stadium is very respectful. Yeah, it feels great, because the people here, we can see that they have got the culture of the game, they know when they have to support, when it's the tight moment of the match. They are very respectful to the players.

Yeah, it's very nice to be in this environment.

Q. Do you expect that to continue next week at Wimbledon, a similar environment?

DARIA KASATKINA: Oh, even more (smiling). I mean, the tournament is the most classic tournament we have. The only disturbing fact on the matches is the popping of the Champagne. (Laughter.)

Yeah, Wimbledon got special atmosphere, and, I mean, it's a really special tournament. I'm really happy to be back there.

Q. You don't have any concerns about how yourself or other Russian players may be greeted at Wimbledon?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, me, I feel very good. Especially, you know, here as a warmup tournament also I felt very welcome. People are super nice to me.

You know, they like saying a lot of nice things. I really appreciate the support. Yeah, feels great, to be honest.

Q. Have you looked at your draw for next week yet?

DARIA KASATKINA: Just the first round. And don't say anything else (smiling).

Q. You just...

DARIA KASATKINA: No, I know my opponent, yeah, but not further. I go always match by match, like Vika Azarenka. She's never watching the draws.

So I'm playing Dolehide? Yeah, it's going to be a tough match, of course. She's a very good player. She got a good serve. She's playing like a bit of a man's style, good forehand.

But for the moment, I've got another match to play tomorrow. So this one is waiting for me on Monday. I just know that every match you play, it's very difficult and everyone wants to win, especially on the slam. Especially the first rounds are tough.

Yeah, I'm gonna prepare for my match tomorrow, and then we will see what's gonna happen later.

Q. What are your preparations for tomorrow's match?

DARIA KASATKINA: Very classic. I'm going to be done with all my duties and then going for dinner. Spend a calm evening before tomorrow's match.

Q. Madison Keys tomorrow. How do you expect that to go?

DARIA KASATKINA: I need a helmet tomorrow (smiling). I mean, this week been pretty, you know, full of aggressive players on the other side. I'm kind of used to it.

But Madison, I mean, she's amazing player. She got all the strokes. She's very aggressive. If everything goes her way, it's very tough to, you know, be on the other side of the net.

But I've got my game. I've got my "keys" (smiling). Yeah, I mean, it's gonna be the final, so everyone wants to win. The final, it's always special. Doesn't matter what's been the week before, how you played before. Finals, it's always a special match. Everyone wants to win, and it actually doesn't matter how you win the final (smiling).

Yeah, it's gonna be a great match. Good preparation before Wimbledon, and yeah, it's the final match for me here in Eastbourne this year, and I'm going to enjoy it.

Q. Were you surprised that she came through Coco Gauff today?

DARIA KASATKINA: Well, I can't say I'm surprised. For me, this match was 50/50. Both players are very good. I mean, for me, whoever wins wasn't surprise. Actually, before the match, I hadn't, like, I wouldn't bet to anyone.

It was the match where Madison was better than Coco and that's it. Honestly, I didn't have any like thinking that one or another is gonna win. For me it was a 50/50 match.