“You are going to play Sunday in Monastir, at 32, a 15th career final, what does that mean to you?
At the end of the game, I was thinking about just that and I said to myself that it was a great way to end the season, even if it is not quite over since I still have Guadalajara. (October 17-23) behind. But that was just what I needed: being able to play one more final on the circuit.
You succeeded without losing a set of the week and by winning your semi-final on Saturday against Veronika Kudermetova (6-4, 6-3), in your purest fighting style, in a fight!
It’s certain. It is solidity pushed to the extreme. She had a lot of break points, I saved a lot (9 out of 11). It’s a great pride today (Saturday). I didn’t necessarily serve well throughout the game, but I served well when it mattered. All week, it’s been a bit like that. I was very dissatisfied with my service but when I needed it, he was almost always there.
Mentally, I was super strong. I stuck to what I had to do. Afterwards, physically, it’s fine. I’ve had whistling adductors for two days, but I feel like I’m going to end the week in one piece. (smile). I have a game that requires a lot of energy, freshness, and today I managed to maintain this physical level without having a drop and that is progress compared to my previous matches.
“I’m having more fun today because losing takes up a lot less space in my life.
You have often, this year, mentioned your upcoming retirement, perhaps on the horizon of Roland-Garros 2023. When you see what you are still capable of doing this season and reaching a new final, it does not give Want to push the slider a little further?
What is certain is that since I left Roland-Garros under the whistles, there is no other option than to come back to end on a good note (smile) ! I feel that I still have plenty of good things to give. For once, I am no longer in the rush in relation to my career. As long as I have fun, that I have the ranking to enter the tournaments, I do not close the door to anything.
How is the pleasure on the court today different from what you could have enjoyed ten years ago?
In fact, I’m having more fun today because losing takes up so much less space in my life. When I win, I’m super happy, when I lose, I move on much faster. I let myself be undermined much less by the harmful effects of defeat. There is a kind of setback that has been created, especially this year. In fact, it makes me play better because I’m less afraid of losing. All that remains is the pleasure of playing.
You haven’t won a title since Gstaad 2018. If successful on Sunday, it would be the seventh of your career, four years later!
I was disappointed to lose in the final last year against Svitolina (in Chicago). Winning a title is a very special feeling. But what succeeded for me this week was simply being in the present moment, the pleasure of being on the court, reaping the good memories. I don’t want to put pressure on myself. Today, I don’t think too much about numbers, I play above all for the good times. Against Elise (Mertens, who beat Claire Liu, 6-4, 6-0, in the other semi-final)it’s going to be quite a challenge, with no doubt long rallies.
