OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

July 29, 2025

Rebecca Marino

Press Conference

E. NAVARRO/R. Marino

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Obviously not the result you wanted today, but playing at home, how does that feel? How can you overview your week here?

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, well, what an experience to play in Montreal again. I'm always really grateful for the opportunity, especially being a wild card. I'm grateful to Valerie, our Tournament Director, and Tennis Canada for that opportunity again to play in front of a home crowd.

Yeah, I mean, definitely disappointing to have lost today. Emma Navarro is a fantastic competitor. She's 11 in the world for a reason. She sure showed that today. I'm very proud of the way this tournament has shuffled out for me to win my first match. I was super proud of that particularly to be a night match on Centre Court.

Again, just a lot of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to play here again in Montreal.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When it was 5-2, you gave a look to your team. What did you think at this time?

REBECCA MARINO: I don't know if it was a particular look. I think it was just, like, I'm very thankful to have that team there, firstly. I'll acknowledge that. I had a really full box with Tennis Canada staff coaches, and they were there with me regardless of the result. So I think I was just looking over for just a little bit of empathy.

We were all in it together. So yeah, I don't know exactly what I was looking for or searching for, but I think I was just trying to get through that match as best I could and try to find solutions, constantly adapting, and just not coming up with the right answers because I was just up against a really fantastic competitor who didn't give me an inch today.

Q. I know it was not easy today, but what keeps you in your sport? What still motivates you?

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, I mean, I love tennis. It's as simple as that. I know that having the time away from the sport, being retired for five years and coming back, it really recentered my relationship with tennis and as well my motivations for tennis. So every opportunity I have to play I think is just -- I feel so lucky to do this for a living.

As long as I'm enjoying it and I'm healthy and I feel well-supported by those around me, I feel like I can do this forever. Yeah, the motivation is just love of the sport and the passion and just gratitude to have a second chance.

Q. Any chance you want to try in French, coming back on your overall experience? Sorry for making you practice your French again, but it's all good. Can you give us your assessment on the game and your overall experience here this week?

REBECCA MARINO: I don't think I'm brave enough to do French right now. The overall assessment of today... look, I mean, I felt like I came out really strong.

I was up 40-Love on her first in that first game, and I was, like, Oh, great, like, I've got her, I've got her off guard. I think she really locked into her game right after that point.

She was hitting quite deep, a heavy, spinny ball off her forehand, and she wasn't giving me any opportunities to look for the short ball, as my game is about dictating and staying aggressive. She knows that, so she was playing really intelligently and not giving me those chances to take control.

So a lot of depth, a lot of heavy spin, and she did a really fantastic job of neutralizing my serve. So that would be my assessment is that she did a really good job of neutralizing the way I play, but I don't think it was a bad showing from me at all.

I really tried to stick to my guns and play true to my style. So yeah, not much I would change. Maybe try and make less unforced errors, but that's also part of her job is to make me uncomfortable out there.

Q. I'm just wondering if you watched Genie yesterday?

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, I did. I watched Genie's match. It was really incredible to see her out there competing, to win in front of the home crowd again with her whole family watching and friends.

I think everyone had a little bit of emotion watching that because she's had an incredible career, and to see her win one more time in front of the home crowd -- I mean, this is her home, Montreal. I think it was really special, and I don't think she's going to forget that, but I don't think many of us will forget that either.