GUADALAJARA OPEN

September 21, 2023

Sofia Kenin

Press Conference

S. KENIN/L. Fernandez

6-4, 6-7, 6-1

Q. Welcome here to the press conference. I want to ask about, it's your second semifinal in a row, the third in a year. How do you feel about it?

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah, I'm very happy. I'm very proud of myself. Obviously it means a lot to me. I've been putting in some hard work and it's paying off, so I'm super proud.

Q. After you have played here in Guadalajara this week, do you feel like a favorite to win the tournament?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, I don't know. I'm just going to take one match at a time. But, yeah, I like my chances. I'm playing some great tennis and looking forward to the next match tomorrow.

Q. Which is the problem in your leg? Why the big protection?

SOFIA KENIN: My quad is just a little bit tight. Nothing serious. I played a lot of matches so it's obviously normal that it's a bit tight. I just wanted to put some tape just to protect it.

Q. Has something changed tactically or maybe preparation off court to produce the results that you've gotten recently?

SOFIA KENIN: Honestly, just putting in the work, practice, fitness. Of course doing massages, treatment after the matches have helped. I'm going to continue doing that.

Of course, confidence with the matches that I'm playing, wins in a row. Confidence definitely is the key for me.

Q. How do you feel about, I mean, you have won two Grand Slams, but right now you're looking for your first title in a WTA 1000. How does it feel? Is it a different sensation to compete for a title at this level?

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah, I feel like any tournament you play, the deeper you go, like it's, for me it doesn't, it doesn't make a difference. Like, it's a tournament. Whenever I play, whenever I get far, I always want to win. So for me there's no difference.

Of course when you're in a Grand Slam final, a bit more, but overall it's still about the same. I still want to put in the hard work. I still want to fight for every match, every point.

Q. Have you thought about a workout plan during these hours, because today there were a lot of double-faults and also some unforced errors.

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah, I mean, of course. It's towards the end of the week, I feel like I've been playing for two weeks matches, so it's obviously normal. But obviously towards the end of the tournament I'm more sore, tougher opponents. Leylah played great. It's normal.

Obviously I didn't feel like a hundred percent like I was serving. Some unforced errors which, like I said, is normal. I managed to get through, so that's the most important.

I'm not going to feel a hundred percent every day. What counts is, you know, playing, even if you're not a hundred percent going through, it's probably maybe even better than, like better winning than feeling a hundred percent and winning. But of course any win is great, so...