THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2023

Petra Kvitova

Press Conference

P. KVITOVA/N. Stevanovic

6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Petra Kvitova.

Petra, if you could just talk us through the match today, that would be great.

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, it was a tough one, for sure, especially with the rain delay. It's nothing easy to deal with. Especially how the way she is playing, with a lot of slice. She's playing differently than other players.

It was pretty challenging, I have to say. I have to be pretty calm whole match. Yeah, in the end of the day I made it somehow. But I should go probably a little bit more often to the net to finish it over there.

Still, I think I did in the end pretty good job. Yeah, I'm happy to be through, for sure.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. We don't still know who you're playing next, so I'll ask you about them individually. If it's Ons, how do you look ahead to that? How do you see her progress? You played her in her early days, then when she started getting better.

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, I think she's improving every day. It's nice to see her doing well. I know she had little bit of the healthy problem this year. She can change the game pretty quickly. She has a good hands, good touch.

But if I play her, I will enjoy it, for sure. She is a great person. We always have fun in the locker room. It will be great to play her, for sure.

Q. Bianca?

PETRA KVITOVA: I think I played her just once maybe in Guadalajara. I think it was totally different match compared to here if I play her on the grass.

Yeah, she is as well actually pretty talented, playing some dropshots, slice. Changing the game, as well.

Actually, they are playing little bit similar, I have to say. So we'll see.

Q. If you're going to go deep into week two, what do you need to be doing differently than what you've done in week one?

PETRA KVITOVA: I think I would love to improve little bit the serve, for sure. I mean, it didn't work that much today. It was difficult today to kind of ace. I think she returning pretty well. It was always dangerous. That's what I think it would be nice if I improve.

Q. How do you feel about your own game? I think I'm right in saying this is the first time you've been to the second week since 2014.

PETRA KVITOVA: I didn't know.

Q. Do you see yourself as one of the favorites now?

PETRA KVITOVA: I don't. I don't see myself as this. I think all the big names are still going through and playing deep in the tournament. I don't really care about the favorites anymore. I'm happy to be in the second week, as you mentioned, first time after 2014. This is already a big achievement for me.

Q. People must think when they come up against you, Here is a champion?

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, that's nice.

Q. You spoke immediately after the match about how much you love playing on grass. What is it about your game that you thinks suits the surface so well? Why do you think so many players struggle?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, first of all, I think because I'm playing pretty aggressive game, trying to go for the volleys sometimes as well, that's everything which the grass is good for.

Yeah, I do have a left-handed serve, which is different, as well, compared to others. I think even the movement, just little bit different. You can't really slice. It's a little bit different footwork and small steps which you have to make.

Q. Why do you think across the men's and women's draw a lot of players struggle who are brilliant on hard courts and clay?

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, I think maybe they're not used to. I don't know. Maybe it's the movement of it or they have a different game.

When you're playing pretty fast, it's tough for the opponent. It's really depends who you play against, as well.

Q. Speaking to some players about whether it matters who's watching them or not, whether you've ever had an experience where there was someone famous in the stands that threw you off or encouraged you. Do you remember where someone really famous was watching?

PETRA KVITOVA: I do remember particularly. It was the final of 2011. Martina Navratilova was in the Royal Box. This was huge experience for me because 2010, the year before, I met her when I reached the semifinal for the first time in the locker room. It was fun to have, to meet her, for sure.

Then, of course, sitting in the Royal Box for my final, and I know she was crying when I won. It was a very beautiful emotion.

Q. Did it make you nervous knowing that someone that means so much to you is in the stands or does it help you?

PETRA KVITOVA: I think it's help me in the time. I don't know if was because of the final. Maybe it would be different if it's not the final.

It was nice. Well, it's made me play little bit better, I think.

Q. We're asking a few players: If you could change one thing about tennis, what would you change?

PETRA KVITOVA: I think we should stop having the noises with the screaming when the people are playing, I think.

Q. From?

PETRA KVITOVA: From the players (smiling).