THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2023

Bianca Andreescu

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/B. Andreescu

3-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Your initial thoughts on the match.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I think the level today was really good from the both of us from start to finish.

In the second set, you know, I lost my serve and she held, and that's what happened in the first set for me.

Then third set, I had my chances to go up 4-1, didn't take them, and then rain delay. Haven't been the best with the rain delays in my career, but I fought as hard as I could today and that's all that matters for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What were you most pleased with about your game? Hard to be pleased when you lose, but what were you able to do to raise that level and play so well?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I love playing on big stages, so I think that helped me raise my level a little bit. I felt really good out there, like I felt that I belonged on that court.

I felt like I was serving great today. Maybe not the whole time, but most of the time I was serving very good. Just fighting really well, positive attitude. Staying very pumped. I thought I would be more nervous stepping on that court, but I felt really good.

Q. What was Centre Court like?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Amazing. Chills when I walked on the court. I pictured playing on that court since I was a little kid, and being able to actually experience it, it's incredible.

Q. You practiced with her here, practiced with her in Paris. You also had that really tough match with her in Canada a couple years ago. Just wondering how did you see this match compared to what you have seen from her in practice courts and what do you make of her level going into second week?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: She has a great game on any surface, actually. Like I played her on hard, practiced with her on clay, now I played her on grass again. She's an all-around player. She can kind of do everything.

If I had to choose a player to lose to, it would be her. Also because she's very nice (smiling). Yeah, she's just great. I really hope she does well in this tournament.

Q. For many parts of that match, it looked like it was on your racquet, like you were really finding your groove on that surface. I just wonder what do you think happened at that 3-1 game in the third. Did she change something? You like the idea of being in the big matches. Do you think it played a part?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Definitely. I don't think I changed anything. I think she kind of went for a little bit more. She hit a lot of lines today.

I don't want to say lucky shots, but she did hit on the parts of the court that had a lot of bad bounces. So I was, like, Okay, that's fine.

But I tried to stay positive, and yeah, I mean, that game's gonna haunt me. Let me just tell you, it's tough. And even at the 4-3 game, it was? Or 4-All to go up 5-4, that one's gonna haunt me.

But that's tennis. I don't think anyone has ever held their serve all the time, so yeah, it sucks. It really sucks. I'm very upset.

Q. You say you don't have a good record in rain delays. Why do you think that is the case?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Oh, my God, the rain delays. Honestly, I don't know. I'm feeling good during those rain delays. I'm staying very pumped up, speaking to my team.

Yeah, I don't know. Maybe it's my mindset. Maybe it's all the times I did have a rain delay I didn't do so well coming back. Maybe that's in the back of my head unconsciously. I really don't know.

Yeah, I really wish I knew. Maybe I have to change something during those rain delays. Maybe just sit quiet in a corner and not listen to my music or think about anything. I don't know. It comes with experience, I guess.

Q. You know what Denis and Milos do? Animal Trivia.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Animal Trivia. Even if like their match gets postponed? Okay. I'll take that up, guys. Maybe it will help me win next time.

Q. In the second set, that call you had the challenge and canceled the challenge. Did that play on your mind in the next game? Because the next game you dropped serve.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I did.

No, no. I mean, I knew it was out, but I thought maybe I was going to pull an Ons. I mean, not at the time, but she did pull it later on when it was this close on the side of the boxes.

Q. It was actually in?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, it was in.

I thought maybe I could pull one of those. But I trust Ons. I know Ons is not going to like cheat.

Yeah, she's, like, It was way out. So I was like, Okay, whatever.

Last match I wasted a lot of my challenges, and they were definitely not good challenges, because they were like this far in. So I was, like, I'm gonna save it, just in case.

Q. Do you think you're going to easily find a way to get the positive out of this Wimbledon? The Centre Court, getting to the third round? Do you think the disappointment is going to take over?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I mean, right now, I definitely feel very upset. I'm trying my best not to say something that I will regret.

But if I really think about it, I mean, there are a lot of positives. Like I basically almost lost yesterday. And to be able to have an opportunity today to play again against a top player on Centre Court at Wimbledon, it's a dream come true.

There are a lot of positives. I'm really feeling my game today at least. And yesterday obviously, but, you know, having that lead and just from start to finish, just feeling good, is very important to me. So I'm glad I had that.

Q. Best you've played in long time, no?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah. Let's think. French Open maybe against Azarenka. That was a pretty decent match. Yeah, let's just say this was the tournament. Maybe this is a turning point for me. I'm really hoping it is.