US OPEN

August 31, 2023

Ons Jabeur

Press Conference

O. JABEUR/L. Noskova

7-6, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Three sets, a little over two hours. Your thoughts about tonight.

ONS JABEUR: I think it was a great match for both of us. I do respect her a lot. I think she's the future in tennis, for sure.

Yeah, it was nice to get the win, even though it was very difficult, especially the second set, for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you talk through what the last two days have been like for you in terms of the recovery, how much better hopefully you felt today, what your health status is.

ONS JABEUR: Yeah, I've been sick since I think Thursday. I'm taking a lot of medicine. I'm doing, like, everything I can with my team trying to recover.

Honestly, they have amazing doctors here, so they've been helping me. Every day I'm there. Basically took every medication they have.

Yeah, I mean, we try to manage what my health is right now. I'm glad it was two matches, two tests for me. I was trying to push myself to see what I can do, getting out of the comfort zone kind of.

Yeah, hopefully will continue in a better shape and feel better for the next match.

Q. Can you talk about what was the sickness? Was it stomach related? How were you able to overcome Linda as another Czech that you have to deal with, now with Marie?

ONS JABEUR: Czechs are a lot on tour.

No, actually my stomach is fine. It's not the stomach. I think I got a flu or something. I know some other players got stomach issues. Not me, thankfully.

But yeah, it was a great test for me today. Definitely, like I said, she's one of the great players. I have a lot of respect for Czech tennis school, in general. They really, really have amazing players.

Another test again genes Marie. She's amazing, too. It's going to be tough playing her, but I'm going to get ready and hopefully prepare well for the match.

Q. We were talking to Dasha. She said by now at the US Open, after a long season, everyone is tired, zombie like. How do you feel after this long season, how you manage the tiredness when it hits?

ONS JABEUR: I'm a zombie because I have a flu, otherwise...

No, honestly I talked about this. I took vacation after Wimbledon. I think that really helped me kind of take a second breath for the rest of the season.

I feel like I will be tired maybe around Beijing. That's when it's going to get tough. But I think maybe last year's season helped me get used to playing a lot of matches.

Yeah, emotionally could be tired, but I know if I just let go, I will regret it after, so I want to continue and stay in New York as long as I can.

Q. What would you say is the difference - maybe there isn't one - in your mindset when you face a match point that your opponent has versus when you are holding one?

ONS JABEUR: I mean, they both stressful. You either have one or...

But I think sometimes when you don't care much and you try to let go, not overthink about your match point, especially when it's against you, it could be slightly easier.

If you have a match point, then sometimes you overthink. Especially when you're serving or returning, you want to know, Okay, should I go here or there? She knows I'm going to my favorite spot. Should I change?

Yeah, I think I did manage well definitely the last game from 15-40 down to get my own match points. That I'm honestly proud of.

Q. Dasha joked because of the long year that she almost wanted to drink alcohol after this entire year. How funny she is. How funny you are. What do you want to do in terms of this whole recovery?

ONS JABEUR: Well, if we play each other, I'll bring her the bottle myself (smiling). I'll make sure she's hydrated.