MELBOURNE SUMMER SET

January 7, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/V. Golubic

6-2, 5-7, 6-4

Q. A hard-fought win. You must be very happy to get through to the next round.

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I'm very happy and I'm very pleased with the way I played. It was a very difficult match, but I fought until the end, and this gives me a lot of confidence.

Q. You were saying before the tournament that your preparation was great. You were able to play for two hours repeatedly and things like that. How important was it for you to get a physical test like this and to be able to find that extra gear in the end to get the win?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, at the beginning of the year, it's always important to have these matches, but I don't ask for them. Yeah, but it happened, and I'm really happy, as I said, that I fought until the end. It's really important to get that feeling back and to get those emotions.

I know that I will need these moments during maybe the Australian Open, during the next tournaments. Every match that is hard and that I can win, it's a big plus for my tennis and for myself, as well.

Q. What do you think was the key? What were you telling yourself towards the end of that third set? It looked like you had to find something deep there.

SIMONA HALEP: Well, yeah. I found a little bit of extra power inside myself. I said that I don't have to give up. Even if I lose the match, if I feel that I gave everything, it will be okay.

I just tried to have that in my mind, and to actually put that serve on court, because it didn't work at all and was really frustrating that I couldn't even hit it slow in the spot there, but sometimes it doesn't work as you want, and you have to just try to win with your heart.

I did that today, and I'm really happy that it went my way.

Q. You mentioned on court you weren't sure when you would next be on Rod Laver Arena because of where your ranking has moved in the last year, and you've been a top 10 player for such a long time. I was wondering how you've embraced the challenge of chasing the top 10 again and how that mindset has affected you on court?

SIMONA HALEP: I embrace it. I like the challenge. I like the pressure. Yeah, it's good that I have a restart, refresh in my mind. Of course it's not what I wanted, but I was injured so I couldn't play. That's where I'm where I am. It's not because I played bad and I couldn't win matches. It's because I didn't play, I couldn't play.

I feel like it's possible to get back to top 10. I have that confidence. But I know it's very difficult. I have just to put hard work and to trust.

Q. And a question about the conditions on court today. Was it that you felt cold on court?

SIMONA HALEP: Very cold. Not cold. Very cold. It was freezing. I think it was like 10 degrees inside. I'm not very friendly with the cold, so it was a little bit difficult for my back. But you know, it happens for her it was the same, so I don't have to complain. I just have to take it as it is.

Q. Just on that ranking issue, have you set yourself a specific target?

SIMONA HALEP: Top 10.

Q. But when, how far down?

SIMONA HALEP: This year, end of the year. I just want to finish the year in top 10 if it's possible. This is the goal and the dream actually. But I know it's going to be difficult. But also I know it's possible.

Q. As you look ahead to the Australian Open, you've played some incredible matches over there over the years. Is there any one match that stands out? Could it be from my memory, was there the Lauren Davis one?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, that one and also Kerber. The Kerber one was more important because the semifinals, I was tired already, and the fact that I could stay there that much and still winning the match, it meant more.

Q. Part of your job is that you're kind of an employer and a boss, and you kind of choose the people in your team. I'm curious how you find that aspect of your career over your career, because I've spoken with other players and some say they find it really hard to make such big decisions. I'm curious how that has been for you.

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I was lucky because I found the right people almost all the time. It was not that difficult, let's say. I just went with my feeling, with what I felt, so what I felt, I did. I think I took the best decisions for my career.

Q. Also you just said you're not friendly with the cold. I'm curious how you handle the cold Romanian winters?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, I don't stay outside much when it's cold at home, but also I'm traveling a lot, so I don't feel that cold too much. But after I retire I will get that feeling pretty much.

Q. Last year you suffered a lot because of injuries, but now you seem to be absolutely fit. Could you tell us something about your fitness and confidence level, please?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, the confidence level is pretty good, pretty high. I worked really hard in the off-season. I did a lot of training, a lot of tennis, hours on the court. I feel fit. I feel that the injury is passed already, and I just want to focus on what I have to do now and to be positive.

Yeah, confidence is very high.