AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

A. CORNET/S. Halep

6-4, 3-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: That was an epic battle in the heat. What are your initial thoughts now that you've had a bit of a chance to cool down?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, definitely it's been a tough battle, and actually she was a little bit stronger than me in the end. All the credit to her for this victory.

I think I played well. Just missed some opportunities, some chances, but I'm really happy with the way I fought today. So this is important.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Despite the loss, obviously disappointed. Do you take more positives than negatives out of the tournament?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, definitely. I'm super happy with the way I have been here in Australia. I struggled a lot last year, and the way I got up, it's looking really good. I'm happy about that, and I will take only the positives.

Q. Tough luck today. Can you talk a little bit about how tough the conditions were out there? Both of you were very fatigued, but also at times it seemed like you were grabbing your knee. Wasn't sure if it was physical or if it was the heat. How were you feeling on the court?

SIMONA HALEP: The heat. I have no injury. This is good (smiling). Only the heat got me actually early in the first set. I felt sick, felt a little bit dizzy.

It's tough to play in the heat, and I was not ready today. She was a little bit stronger, and that's why she could win the match. But actually, it was a good match. I missed some chances when I had to go for 4-2 in the third set.

But I take only the positive, as I said, and I'm looking forward to the next one already.

Q. In the second set after being down 3-1, you were at the back of the court, just looked exhausted, and yet you ran off six straight games from that point and seemed to level up. So I'm curious what you were telling yourself in that moment and how you felt like you were able to turn it around?

SIMONA HALEP: Nothing. I was close to just give up, because I was exhausted, how I looked, actually. But I felt like she's starting to missing, and I just stayed there. I fought for every ball. But with not much confidence. I just been there, and I had to play.

Yeah, it was a little turnaround, but then in the end, was not enough.

Q. Your thoughts on Alize and what she was able to accomplish today?

SIMONA HALEP: Well, I have only nice words about her, because I like her on court, how she's fighting. She deserves what is happening to her now. She work hard all the time, and, yeah, I wish her good luck. I really want her to make this dream coming true. Yeah, I will support her.