THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 4, 2022

Simona Halep

Press Conference

S. HALEP/P. Badosa

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Simona, just your initial thoughts on today's match, please.

SIMONA HALEP: It was a great match and I'm really happy with the way I played. It's always a pleasure to be back on Centre Court.

To play against her is never easy. I was really focused and I played well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The way you construct points is beautiful. How much of that would you attribute to your practicing patterns or to your tennis IQ?

SIMONA HALEP: I think the work is really important to be able to play well. I worked really hard in the past two, three months. I'm really happy with all that I've done. That's why I'm starting to play better and better.

I got the confidence. I really feel this is my game. I'm pushing myself to do it as much as possible. I want to improve still.

So I'm really looking forward to work more and to be able to do it better.

Q. You talked at Birmingham about the difficulties of really believing you could come back and be a winner again after your injury. At times like today, do you sort of think about the enormity of what you've done to get to the next stage here?

SIMONA HALEP: It means a lot that I'm back in a quarterfinals after I struggled so much with injuries and self-confidence.

But, as I said, I'm working hard every day. I feel like if I do that, I will get better. Actually I'm really happy with the way I'm playing. I'm really confident. It's a pleasure to be on court.

I think this helps me a lot to be able to do my best tennis. And everything comes together. I feel strong physically. I feel very good mentally. So I think everything comes together.

I feel I have power on court. So I feel like - how should I say - I feel good to play tennis and I feel good to be on the court. I think this helps me to believe more and to be able to do my best tennis.

Q. What has been hardest for you, the injury or the confidence side?

SIMONA HALEP: Both of them. When they come together, it's really difficult.

But, yeah, it started with the injury, so I was not able to play for three, four months. Then I lost also the confidence, the belief that I can be good again, in the top. And I struggled like a long period.

But now it's past. I'm here. I'm playing well. I'm feeling good on court. So this is the most important thing, and I just want to focus on that.

Q. Thoughts on your next opponent. You beat her two weeks ago in Bad Homburg.

SIMONA HALEP: It's going to be a different match. Of course, that match was a great match for me. But I'm expecting a tough one. I'm here to play as I did today, to focus on myself.

I'm sure that I can play good tennis again. But it's going to be a big challenge. It's quarterfinals at Wimbledon. I'm ready for it and I'm looking forward for it.

Q. You spoke about your confidence and feeling strong. How would you describe the satisfactions and emotions you're feeling of making it this far?

SIMONA HALEP: I'm pretty emotional as a person. I take it 100%. I'm really happy. I'm enjoying the time. I'm enjoying what's happening right now.

But as I said, I repeat, with the work you are able to do anything. I'm just following the way that I talked with my coach and we decided to do. So I'm just focusing on that. I'm pushing myself to do everything in a right way.

Yeah, I just enjoy. It's really good to be back in quarters.

Q. Your fifth quarterfinals at Wimbledon. What is it about grass that you like the most?

SIMONA HALEP: Yeah, it's not easy to answer because grass is not an easy surface, and you have to really connect with it. You have to get used to it.

I like because it's fast I think. I feel it. I feel stable on the feet. My legs are pretty strong for this surface. Yeah, I like it because it's fast I think. Yeah, it's inside me. It's a good surface for me. I feel like my game fits it.