OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 9, 2023

Beatriz Haddad Maia

Press Conference

L. FERNANDEZ/B. Haddad Maia

7-5, 5-7, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Bia, if you could just give us your overall thoughts on the match today and the experience of playing out there on center court?

BEATRIZ HADDAD MAIA: Well, first of all, Leylah played better. I think she deserved it because she was more aggressive, and in the tough moments she played better than me.

I wish her all the best during this week. This is special for her to play at home.

From my side I'm disappointed with especially my serve and my returns. I think it was one of the best things I did yesterday, and today it didn't work the way I wanted.

Yeah, it took me to learn because in this kind of level of big tournaments, if you don't think big, if you're not aggressive, it's tough to win even if you are fighting until the end.

So, yeah, my level today was lower than I would like.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What a battle. That was insane. Can you explain to us what happened during your game? The eight game at the third set when you were broken, that was the turning point of the match maybe?

BEATRIZ HADDAD MAIA: Yeah, I think all along the match I was building the mentality that wasn't that aggressive.

So if you don't play aggressive in the beginning of the first set, the second set if you don't have pressure points and you don't build your game, it's tough to build when you are 4-3 in the third.

So, yeah, I think the key today was that she was more aggressive than me. I don't have too much to say. I think that mentality brought me to push my level down. Yeah, she deserved it today.

Q. What's it like to be the opponent of a hometown player on a day like this on center court in front of a loud crowd? What's it like as the opponent?

BEATRIZ HADDAD MAIA: I think it's a very positive moment. Especially Leylah is young, and we have, like, high stadium almost full in a women's match, which means a lot for women's tennis.

Not only thinking about the Canadian players, which is very nice. So I'm very proud of the tournament that a lot of people were coming to cheer.

It's very special to feel the energy even if it is against me today, but I know that Canadians cheered for me a lot last year as well.

It feels good. I'm just, yeah, disappointed, but it's nice to play in a big stadium, yeah.