TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 2nd of July. S. Halep d. S. Lisicki 6-4, 6-0. An interview with Simona Halep
Q. What suddenly changed for you?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, it was a great match for me today. I played really well and I’m really excited that I can play semifinals tomorrow.
I like this tournament and I feel really well here. I’m looking forward for the next round just to play good tennis and to try my best on court.
Q. What changed today? You were 4-1 down and then didn’t lose a game.
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, she started really well the match. She was serving very strong. Then I was a little bit lost on court. But in the beginning only.
Then I wanted just to keep more rallies, point by point. I did really well. I came back very well.
Then I found my way to play and my style. I stayed very aggressive, very close to the baseline, and I did my game. I opened the court very well and the angles, as well.
Q. You’re playing Eugenie Bouchard in the next round. You played her in Indian Wells this year. What did you learn from that match?
SIMONA HALEP: Here it’s different because it’s grass court. A big difference between matches.
But tomorrow, it’s another day, so will be different match. But I have confidence in myself. I believe that I can win, but I expect a tough match. She’s a great player and she’s playing really well, so I have just to enjoy it.
I learned from that match that I have to keep fighting till the end. At that moment I won, so we’ll see tomorrow what will happen.
Q. Back into the semifinals. Does it feel different this time than it did in Paris?
SIMONA HALEP: Yes, sure, because it’s second time. Now I have more experience and more confidence in myself.
I played really well here match by match and day to day. In French Open was clay court, so I had more experience on clay court. Here was the grass. Last year I didn’t win many matches.
But now I’m here and I just want to be happy because it’s my best result here. So just looking forward to enjoy.
Q. A lot of the players said the transition from French Open to Wimbledon is the toughest thing. As you know, Nadal lost and Sharapova already lost. You managed to keep playing really well on this surface. What is the secret for you?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, last year I had the chance to play from clay court immediately to grass court, and I won both tournaments. I have experience to adapt very quickly.
I like grass, but was difficult at the beginning of the tournament because I didn’t have the timing of the balls. Then match by match and day to day I was working very hard at practices. Just I wanted to find my feeling.
I did really well. I played match by match better and better. It’s not easy to come from clay court to grass court, but I feel good. I can say just that I can adapt very quickly.
Q. You said on television that was the best you’ve played. Did you mean during this tournament or this year?
SIMONA HALEP: During this tournament. I played my best match today. I came back very well from 4 1. She played really well at the beginning, but then I was controlling all the match.
I was really happy that I could play better than yesterday.
Q. You’ve gotten better and better, coming up very steadily. With these tremendous results, do you think to yourself, Wow, this is really great; I’m at the top of the game?
SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I’m improving a lot in my game day to day. In my serve as well I did good progress here also.
It’s tough to think that I can win a Grand Slam title still. Doesn’t matter if I was very close in French Open. Here is another tournament, and I just want to be focused every match.
My dream is to win a title of Grand Slam, but is not easy. Now I feel more prepared that I can win a title than in French Open.
So maybe here will happen, but still I am very far.
Q. Tell us what it is you like about Centre Court and Wimbledon.
SIMONA HALEP: It doesn’t look as big as it is. I mean, it’s elegant. It’s the grass court. Also the players, they have to play all white clothes. So it’s amazing.
I have a good feeling there. I just like the court. Today I didn’t read the message of the door because it’s a good message there. But tomorrow I am happy that I have another chance to read it all the message. I will tell you after the match tomorrow.
