ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2026

Diana Shnaider

Press Conference

D. SHNAIDER/M. Keys

6-3, 3-6, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Diana, into the quarterfinals here at Roland Garros. Just talk us through the match and tell us how you feel achieving this result.

DIANA SHNAIDER: Yeah, definitely super happy and proud of myself. Again, lost a few times before to Maddie, but again, you know, went on court today thinking about, like, just I need to grind today. Definitely clay, a little different conditions than hard courts.

So, yeah, just tried to be more consistent today with trying to use more spin, more high balls, and then just putting more balls and trying to decrease my unforced errors, but then at the same time, have an opportunity to be more aggressive.

I mean, Maddie played definitely better in the second set than in the first. Was a huge hold in the first game in the third set. So I feel like after that, I was just kind of relieved that I could hold my serve in the first game and then just kind of was playing in the flow a little bit in the third set.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. So first Grand Slam quarterfinal on deck for you. I'm curious, you've been in other quarterfinals of other tournaments before, but how does, I guess, the feeling of this one compare? I know you are starting to realize, okay, there's only potentially three more matches, you know, left.

DIANA SHNAIDER: I mean, I'm definitely not thinking about, like, how matches left. You know, just super happy with my performance today overall, just how I played, and how I stayed composed through the whole match, just holding my emotions in. I feel like it was huge today.

Yeah, looking forward to the next match. You know, it's already huge achievement for myself. I feel like I'm just going to enjoy it, you know, playing again in a great stadium, and then just will try to play like today or even better and then just fight, and we'll see how it goes.

Q. In that third set, obviously Madison Keys does not lose a lot of sets 6-0, so how were you able to maintain that level and keep her from getting any traction in that final set?

DIANA SHNAIDER: Yeah, again, I feel like first game was very important. You know, I was down 15-40 on my serve. To come back from 15-40 and then hold the serve, I feel like that was very important and especially in the first game.

I feel like it was a little bit of relief that I managed to stay in that game and then to lead kind of just 1-Love. I feel like I just try going for point by point, not thinking about.

I mean, I know that Maddie is a big server, and she goes for those winners. I was just trying, again, to put as many balls in the court as I can, trying to go for deeper, high balls to not let her to step in and being more aggressive.

Then if I would see an opportunity, being more aggressive myself, but then not going for too, too much, to not do too many unforced mistakes.

I feel like I just tried to play simple and then also not letting her to, like, be too much aggressive.

Q. Your previous match against Oliynykova that brought a lot of attention and talk about it, how much of a distraction was that? How difficult was that for you to stay focused on the job at hand?

DIANA SHNAIDER: Not at all. Again, I'm not putting too much attention, any, outside of tennis. So, yeah, I was just, you know, getting ready for the match by match and then practicing and then just taking care of my body.

So I'm just trying to stay focused only on tennis and not thinking too much outside of it.

Q. Just a tennis one. Because you've been so consistent, some people might be surprised that this is the first slam quarterfinal. For you, has anything made the difference, or is it just a question if you keep kind of doing the right things, eventually you'll get over that line?

DIANA SHNAIDER: I feel like definitely was more about mental state here. You know, just trusting more of myself, my game. Not being too negative on myself.

I feel like before if I would lose a second set, I would be doubting myself a lot in the third. So definitely thinking, like, more staying in the moment and thinking about solution, what I have to do, and not going too much into, like, thoughts of doubting myself and being too negative like I have done something wrong when my opponent is playing better.

Yeah, definitely I feel like here just being focused and composed through my emotions helped a lot.

Q. Got a huge match next. Could you kind of reflect, break down facing Sabalenka or Osaka?

DIANA SHNAIDER: I mean, yeah, it's going to be a great match. Doesn't matter who is going to win. World No. 1, former World No. 1, you know, Grand Slam champions. So definitely a huge match coming up.

I mean, my first quarterfinal, so it doesn't matter who is going to win. We will see, obviously, with the coach. I mean, kind of similar game style, aggressive game style going for the shots.

Yeah, we will see. I will just try to do my job, try to play again like same as I was today, not doing too much of my own mistakes. But, at the same time, being aggressive, but not going for too, too much.

Again, will try to enjoy and see it as an opportunity to get that experience for my future.

Q. I talked to you last year, I think in Australia, about the women back in Russia who used to make your bandanas, and now Yonex makes them for you. How nice is that to have those already matching your outfit, or do they just add the logo to something you make?

DIANA SHNAIDER: No, that's their job. That's their work. That's for the first time and definitely something that we're trying to figure out, like, if I'm comfortable or not.

I feel like it's great. I feel like it's very cute outfit, and I'm definitely enjoying seeing this on a picture.

Q. Secondly, your coach is very familiar with a player who just announced she's coming back today, Serena Williams. I'm curious what your thoughts are on that and to Serena being back on tour.

DIANA SHNAIDER: I haven't really heard a lot about it. I feel like there's definitely a lot of attention about it. I don't know if she's coming back only for doubles or, like, if she's coming for singles too.

But, again, I'm not paying too, too much attention. We have a Grand Slam here. I'm in quarters, so I'm just more focused on myself and a future match.

Yeah, I mean, I'm happy for her. If she's ready to be back, we will see.

Q. Just going back to who you are playing next. Since you have a few hours now before they play, will you watch? If so, do you use that opportunity to kind of analyze things, or are you just going to be relaxing, I guess?

DIANA SHNAIDER: I mean, sometimes I watch. Sometimes I don't. I feel like on the TV, it's definitely different when you look at it in real life. I'm definitely not going to be staying, because it's going to be too late.

Yeah, we'll see if I'm going to watch it on the TV or my phone or I'm just going to kind of enjoy and just call my mom and just, you know, go through the match today. Yeah, we will see.

Definitely maybe watch a little bit, or we watch it tomorrow with the coach to kind of, like, to see the most important parts of the game.