MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN

August 4, 2024

Marie Bouzkova

Press Conference

P. BADOSA/M. Bouzkova

6-1, 4-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Marie, not the result you were looking for tonight, but a great run here in DC. Can you share your thoughts on the match and your week here.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, obviously was really tough one today. I think I gave it my everything. Yeah, Paula played well. I think I did, too. Obviously can be just one winner.

I'm just overall really happy with this whole week, the way I even managed to play in the final, come back playing much better after the first set.

Yeah, obviously just taking a lot of positives from this week.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was the difference today?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Well, I don't know how to say right now. I think we battled pretty much for every point. I think then we both had really good rhythm. It was just about few points here and there.

Obviously after the second break, I was up 30-Love, lost my serve there, but then got the break back right away.

I think Paula just did some really big serves. Yeah, she was more solid on her serve at that point. Then I was just kind of battling on my own serve also. Yeah, obviously it was a pretty much open match till the last point.

Yeah, she handled it well in the end also.

Q. She referenced the history you have, similar age, came up together. How much of an appreciation do you have on even a day like this for what she's been through? We saw the emotions she had on the court today.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, of course, I mean, tennis careers are both very short, but also it feels like we've been on the tour for a very long time. She said the first time we played we were maybe 16, we played some ITFs. We've been through a lot.

It's been maybe more than 10 years now. It's nice that we both are on the WTA circuit right now, yeah, trying to play as best as we can.

It's nice. It's nice to kind of reflect on both of our journeys, then in these kind of days just share the court together in big finals like this.

Q. What are you most proud of from the week?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Well, I think overall just with my fighting spirit and just trying to stay mentally tough. I think there were a lot of challenging moments throughout this week, starting in the first round.

Today, obviously after losing the first set, I'm happy that I kept fighting and trying to find the way. Eventually I did get into my rhythm and started to feel a lot better.

I think it was a great final in the end. I think I'm most pleased with that, just being able to adapt every single match to different opponent, then just staying mentally tough.

Q. Interesting to have not only two breaks in a match, but almost immediately after each set. Was that helpful for you after the first set to have that break? In the second it looked like you tried to come to the net a little bit more, use dropshots.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, I think it was just connected that I was feeling better with my own game, just much more in the rhythm than at the start. At the start I wasn't feeling like I can do that many things.

Then eventually I think the first break, the first delay, helped me to kind of regroup and just really start fresh again when we got back on the court.

Then I think it had the opposite effect the second time around, had kind of a slow start. Actually I was able to break her right back, so that was good.

I think from 1-All, it was just a battle for every game.

Q. Mentioning the delays, in the third set when you had the delay, you were off the court for rain, what were you telling yourself at that point, given you had the momentum?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, of course I tried to jump right back to it the same like I kind of did the first break that we had. Of course, I mean, we've been out there, I don't know, maybe it was three hours since we started the match, so it's not so easy to do.

I think it's all inexperience. I actually just put my legs up a little bit just to kind of rest a little bit, then have little something small to eat, then just go out on the court again and try to be dynamic right from the start.

Yeah, sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse. But yeah, it's part of the match today. In the end, was a really long one.

Q. Not to get too technical, but it seems that your placement was exquisite, right on the line over and over. It sounds naïve, but that's deliberate?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Well, I'm not sure if I played everything on the line (smiling). I feel like Paula placed everything on the line. She played really precise in many important points.

When it's a match like that, when it's so close, you just have to push it as much as you can. That's just part of the match. You got to give it your all.

Of course, it's all a question of very small margins.

Q. What is your schedule heading up to the US Open?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Well, right now actually, tonight, like in one hour, we'll be heading to Toronto. I'll play Toronto and then Cincy. I train in Florida, so I'll go to Florida. Then, yeah, few days before I'll go to the US Open. So Toronto and Cincy.

Q. Given everything Paula has been through, the injuries, attempt for a comeback here, she's trying to get back to where she was, did it look like she's back to close to what she was?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: I think so. I mean, the game is always evolving. I think she's in a great fighting spirit. I would say that's the most important of all. She's obviously in a match rhythm right now, so that's always helpful. It looks like she's feeling pretty good.

I mean, I know it's not easy coming back after injuries and after some struggles. I think it looked like she's really into the matches and just fighting very hard. That's great to see.

Pretty much looks like she's back, yeah (smiling).