00:00 It was amazing. I'm super happy to be back in the semifinals and really looking forward
00:05 to my semifinals match. I want to do a little bit better than I did last time here.
00:10 You said on court you felt the crowd wanted Madison Keys. Was it a struggle for you to
00:22 play with that atmosphere, with that in mind?
00:24 No, I kind of expected them to support her more than me. Anyway, it was an amazing atmosphere.
00:33 Even if they support her, I was really enjoying playing in front of them.
00:41 Christian Radnich, Reuters. There was a moment in the second set when you were broken and
00:49 Madison looked like she might have a bit of momentum, but you snatched it right back and
00:54 were able to go on and win the set comfortably. What happened there and what did you tell
01:00 yourself to make sure that it didn't get away from you?
01:04 She played unbelievable tennis the whole match, but in those few games she played unbelievable.
01:12 When she was serving for 5-2, I was telling myself that it's okay, we're going to play
01:20 the third set, that's fine. I just tried to put a little more pressure on her in this
01:25 set so she doesn't feel that much confidence going into the third set. I was just trying
01:36 my best. Like Kimi, I wanted that game somehow and turned around that second set.
01:46 You've been incredibly consistent over the last year, three semifinals and a win in Australia.
01:54 Was there a bit of it making up for what you missed out on last summer? The situation with
02:01 your control that meant you weren't able to play here?
02:05 I was really sad that I couldn't play here last year, but at the same time I was thinking
02:12 that it's a good time to reset and start everything over again. Before grass season I didn't play
02:23 my best tennis, I was struggling a lot with my serve, with emotions, with a lot of stuff.
02:30 I just took that time as a good preparation, as a good little switch, and everything started
02:38 working better. I think that in those three or four weeks I did really good work and it
02:48 helped me at the youth open. Then I started believing in myself more, I started playing
02:56 better, I started feeling better, I started feeling better emotionally. I think those
03:01 periods gave me so much belief in myself. I was very sad but at the same time I was like
03:11 "OK, probably this is something I really needed."
03:13 The match-up now is Hans-Jabour, maybe not the one you were anticipating. How do you
03:20 approach this?
03:21 We practiced here before Wimbledon and I felt like she's going to do well here because
03:29 she played unbelievable tennis on practice court. I know it's different on practice than
03:33 on match, but she was able to bring this level on matches. It's not like I didn't expect
03:40 that. She's a great player and we always had tough battles against each other, very
03:46 close matches. I'm really looking forward to this great battle.
03:51 What's the biggest motivation, what's most important for you? The chance now to get to
03:57 your first Wimbledon final or the chance to become world number one for the first time?
04:02 To be honest, I want both, but I'm trying to focus on myself because I know that if
04:10 I start thinking about all this stuff I'm going to lose my focus on court, my game.
04:16 So I'm trying to focus on myself right now and make sure that every time I'm on the
04:20 court I bring my best tennis. And then later on we'll see if I'm ready to become world
04:27 number one or if I'm ready to play another final.
04:31 Do you feel like you're playing the best player in the world at the moment?
04:35 I feel like I'm one of the best. There are other great players and it's not like I'm
04:44 the best right now. I feel like I'm one of the best.
04:47 On court you spoke of dreaming of Wimbledon since you were a little girl. What did you
04:54 visualise as a little girl about the championship and what's in your mind, what images are
05:00 in your mind about the possibility of winning the championship now?
05:04 I remember myself, I think, 14 or 15 years old, going on my practice with headphones,
05:11 listening to music and dreaming of becoming one of the best players in the world and dreaming
05:17 about lifting these beautiful trophies. That's something unbelievable and that's something
05:24 that really motivates me a lot, that I was able to become one of the best and I'm competing
05:30 on the high level. That's something big for me and I'm going to do everything I can
05:38 to lift this beautiful trophy.
05:41 What is most special about the Wimbledon championship for you?
05:49 I think historically this is just a special event. Even in the players' area everything
06:02 is a little bit different compared to the rest of the slams. Top players are able to
06:07 be separated in the separate locker rooms. It's special and if you win the Wimbledon
06:13 you get a membership here. I think it's more history behind the Wimbledon. That's
06:26 why it's very special.
06:29 Congratulations. Angela said on Centre Court a moment ago that she was disappointed you
06:37 won so quickly.
06:38 I saw that. I was in the locker room watching her interview, sending her kisses and love.
06:45 Do you think you have the advantage in the semi-final?
06:48 I think she was just joking. She's a very nice girl. She has such a good sense of humour.
06:54 I think it's not going to give me any advantage. Anyway, it's going to be a great battle,
06:59 tough match. It doesn't matter what she says. She's just a fun girl.
07:03 Any further questions?
07:06 You spoke earlier in the week about wanting some clarity from the organisations on handshakes
07:12 after matches. Have you heard anything else since then from any of the organisations here
07:17 or any of your fellow players? Is it something that's being discussed in the locker room?
07:20 Players understand everything. I saw a tweet yesterday. They made this statement which
07:30 is really good. I think people also need to know what's going on and why there is no handshake
07:37 between Ukrainians, Russians and Belarusian players. It's good to have this statement.
07:45 I really hope that nobody else will face this reaction from the crowd.
07:54 How would you describe the determination she shows on the court and what makes her game
08:01 special in your mind?
08:02 She has a really good touch, especially on the grass court. All her slices and drop shots
08:08 work really well here on the grass court. I feel like mentally she's really strong.
08:14 She's making history. I think this is the biggest motivation for her. That's why she's
08:24 doing well this season, especially here at Wimbledon. I think her tricky game is really
08:32 challenging to play against.
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