00:00Well for sure I'm happy with the performance because I felt like you know
00:07she's a player that can play really powerful first shots so I wanted to be
00:11ready for that and I was so I'm happy that I was in control of the match.
00:16Thank you. Name and affiliation one question each so I get around the room.
00:20English. Court. I just wanted to ask you about the forehand stab. I practice that all the time.
00:34It came so naturally to you. How much of that is luck? How much of that is at all hand skill, eye skill?
00:41No I think mostly luck. I would be giving too much credit to myself if I would say I've had control over it
00:49but I guess in situations like that you remember it's worth to kind of reach for
00:54every ball even though you think you might not get it so it was mostly luck.
01:01I saw the video of you and Serena chatting. Just curious what was it like to see her and if you want to, what were you chatting about?
01:13It was really nice to see her. She has a lot of positive energy so it's nice that she came outside and she was chatting with the players
01:21because for me I still felt even though we met before and for a couple of years we've been on the same sides and on tour together
01:33she's still star striking me so it was nice that she approached me because I wouldn't for sure find courage to do that if it was the other way
01:44but yeah she's really nice and really positive and I'm happy that she's following tennis and my games because she told me that she's trained for me
01:54so it's always nice to hear that from somebody like Serena.
01:58Is it better approaching people in general?
02:01I think so but I think so yeah. I mean I'm not that shy for sure as I was a couple of years ago so it feels better.
02:14Hi, Aki Uchida from Smash Magazine. Congratulations.
02:19It's not only about today's match but in general you have been in number one for more than two years already
02:27and many players say that women's tennis is evolving so fast.
02:33If you stay in the same level it's not good enough to be in the same ranking or same position.
02:40So do you agree with that and how much progress do you think that women's tennis has made in the last couple of years or five years or something?
02:51I didn't understand the first part of the question.
02:54So if you maintain your level you cannot stay in the same ranking.
03:01Do you mean to get better?
03:03Yeah, to maintain your ranking.
03:05I think it's hard for me to judge the whole level of the game because I'm mostly looking at myself and probably a few other players.
03:18So it's hard for me to judge if we're playing better tennis than five years ago.
03:26I think for sure we're playing better tennis than 20 years ago because our physicality is getting better.
03:34And some other stuff.
03:36I think people are, as general, they're kind of going forward.
03:41But it's still, I mean, I'm not an expert.
03:44I haven't watched a lot of matches from the past to kind of know exactly.
03:50But for sure you need to get better because I would say getting to number one, it happened suddenly for me.
04:01But at the beginning I feel like my opponents didn't really know what to expect from me and how I play.
04:07And I think 2023 was challenging because I had a target on my back and also players actually learned my game style.
04:17So I think you always need to learn and try to have more variety and many options on the court.
04:24Because it's not like you can keep playing the same tennis.
04:27People will figure it out and it's going to be much harder to win.
04:30So yeah, I think in these terms rather than if tennis is getting overall better and better because it's hard for me to judge.
04:41But I think you need to kind of mix up your game because at the beginning you might be there for a while.
04:49But then everybody will analyze you and focus on how to win against you.
04:56Are we good?
04:59You seem like a player who has very specific ways that you like to warm up before matches.
05:07So to have Serena kind of be a part of that, did that distract you at all or kind of faze you at all?
05:15I have my routines but it's not that bad.
05:18I can mix them up and change them as well.
05:22But she approached me at four today.
05:26It was before my warm-up so I wouldn't say it matters.
05:32If it did, anything would distract me.
05:35But I would say it more inspired me and it gave me a positive kick so it was nice.
05:43I'm curious how you spend your days off.
05:46How has that changed over the years and how have you been doing it?
05:50I wouldn't say it changes compared to other tournaments.
05:54But it changed compared to me in New York one or two years ago.
05:59Because I'm staying in a different part of the city and I'm enjoying some restaurants.
06:04And I'm doing some Legos.
06:13And I'm reading a lot.
06:14I was watching Modern Family for the past few weeks but I was watching it too much.
06:19I was watching it too much in Cincinnati probably.
06:21So I have to balance it.
06:24So I'm reading more.
06:25And actually Beatrice Kadadmaya recommended me a nice book.
06:28So I don't remember the name. I'll tell you next time.
06:31I'll tell you next time because I just started it.
06:35And it seems nice so I have something to read.
06:39The machine, the old one from the 80s when you played games.
06:48Yeah, a Pac-Man.
06:50So it's a nice one.
06:52And also I chose it because when it's going to be built I can travel with it.
06:58Because it's just kind of square.
07:01It's not something crazy.
07:02Because I've been doing flower sets and then they broke after 30 minutes in travel.
07:07So I just left them in these places.
07:09But this one I want to get home.
07:11All right, David, last question.
07:18Who recommended Modern Family?
07:23I'm not sure honestly.
07:24I think I just started watching it because I wanted something light and it was funny.
07:28And who's my favorite character?
07:29It changes like every season so I can't really say.
07:33It was easier with friends than with Modern Family because I feel like money for me is the funniest one.
07:43When I first watched it, it was Phoebe.
07:47When I watched it for the second time, it was Monica.
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