MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN

July 24, 2025

Magdalena Frech

Press Conference

M. FRECH/V. Williams

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Magdalena, congratulations. A big match on a big stage. What are your thoughts going into it and coming out of it?

MAGDALENA FRECH: Yes, of course. Thank you very much.

I think it was really emotional match for me, for sure. You know, if you are playing Venus Williams here in U.S., it's always tough with the supporters, crowd, and the media and all the stuff.

I saw her match in her first round, and she played amazing. So I knew it's going to be a really tough match. But I think I was prepared really good with my coach.

We did a lot of stuff before the match. So, yeah, I tried to move her, and I tried to change directions, and I think it worked well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You have a really good ranking and you're seeded at this tournament and everything, but I feel like for a lot of tennis fans they may not have seen as much of you on the big stage, big spotlight matches so far. How does this compare for you and other experiences you have had, the setting and attention and everything that goes with playing Venus Williams in 2025?

MAGDALENA FRECH: I think it doesn't really matter actually for me, because I played a lot of important matches in my career. Some finals, some fourth rounds in the Grand Slams. It's always like a different stage.

It doesn't really matter who is on the other side. I'm trying just to focus on my game, what I can do on the court and how I can win the match. That's the most important.

Q. Trying to get Venus to move was your main strategy after watching her first round?

MAGDALENA FRECH: Yes, yes, for sure. I knew I'd have to exchange direction. I need to focus on my serve. I tried to serve a lot of wide serves.

Yeah, I think it worked really well. I tried to also play a lot of slice, like I changed the rhythm all the time, because I knew if I would play the same ball, she's gonna hit even with more power and it's going to be tough. I knew I had to change it.

Q. Do you go through any specific processes -- because you're in a stadium like that, it's very loud, everyone, everyone is cheering for your opponent. Is there any sort of process that you go through to calm yourself down or to focus in that sort of situation which can be very tough?

MAGDALENA FRECH: Yeah, I think I tried to use, after few games, first few games, two, three games, it was really tough at the beginning, but later, I tried to focus on myself, only what I can do, what I can play, and how I can win every rally.

I think it doesn't, yeah, really matter. I just try to focus on myself, on my service games, because that was the key, I think, today.

Q. Do you remember the first time you might have watched Venus play?

MAGDALENA FRECH: Actually, you know, I didn't have a lot of time when I was a kid to watch the tennis, because I had a lot of stuff to do, like practices, school, friends. I wasn't at home actually.

I don't remember. I think I saw her matches when she came back, after her career when she came back. I remember a lot of Serena. For sure, I was watching the matches. But Venus, just when she came back.

Q. Were you surprised when you found out she would be playing here?

MAGDALENA FRECH: Yeah, of course. It's always, like, you never know. I can't imagine myself in 17 years, always I'm comparing her age, it's unbelievable to have a motivation to stand on the court, to practice, because she needs a lot of practice like all of us, and it's so tough. I can't even imagine how she pushes herself. It's really amazing.

Q. What was your initial thought when you found out that you would be playing her tonight?

MAGDALENA FRECH: I think it was just a normal thing, because, you know, it's a second round. I saw the draw at the beginning after the toss, so I knew I can play her in the second round, so I was prepared for this.

I was watching her first round against Stearns. So, yeah, I was analyzing, and then try to compare her to different active players, how I can prepare for the match.

Q. You were trying to approach it as a normal match, but now that you've won it and you have rated it against other wins in your career, how does it rank, being memorable and the occasion and all that?

MAGDALENA FRECH: Yeah, it's so tough. Everything is about her on this tournament. All the media, all the fans, everyone is for her.

I had to accept it. For sure, that was the thing. I just tried to focus on myself, not on the other things, because I know she's a superstar, she's a legend here.

I think I was prepared that everyone will be cheering for her. Everyone will be, like, doing all the stuff for her. I just accept it.

Q. You talked about it a little bit already, but you said you can't imagine in 17 years or 18 years, help me with the math, doing that. What do you think of somebody who is 45 who decides to still play tennis to come out here and go through -- again, I know you touched on it -- but what do you think of that?

MAGDALENA FRECH: I don't know. You need to ask Venus, because for me, it's like unbelievable. I don't see myself for sure in 17 years to play on the tournament like this.

For sure my game style is different than her. She's hitting the ball really hard. I need to run more. So for sure, that's not for me at this age, so...

But it's unbelievable, yeah.