THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2026

Elise Mertens

Press Conference

L. NOSKOVA/E. Mertens

6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Elise, could you give us some thoughts on the match today.

ELISE MERTENS: I mean, tough match, of course. Been broken twice in the match, but on important points. She served really well in the important points, too. I mean, I tried to keep myself into the match. I tried to keep believing. Made it difficult for her.

Yeah, she played well today. Was a really close one. At the end I think, yeah, she really stepped up her game, especially on the last game.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I know you talked about how it came down to the two breaks. When you're serving in those moments, do you feel extra pressure in those games compared to other service games?

ELISE MERTENS: I think other service games were pretty tight, as well. Not particularly more pressure. But I think she was returning pretty good at those points. She stepped up her game. All credits to her.

My serve was a little bit on and off today. But yeah, I mean, she really went for it. I mean, a lot of times I was under pressure. Yeah, it was a really tight match.

Q. Physically, how did you feel out there?

ELISE MERTENS: At the beginning, I felt good. I think it was a mis-step or something. I kind of felt something, like, behind my knee, going to my calf a little bit. Okay, let's call the trainer, see if they can put a little bit of pressure on it. It felt better afterwards, so that was good.

Q. From outside, it looked like you were throwing everything at her, the first set especially. On a couple shots, she has this ability to completely turn it around. Did that feel the same on the court?

ELISE MERTENS: Yeah, I mean, I tried everything I had. Especially running to every ball, trying to take my opportunities. But she was serving really well. She was really hitting the spots on every kind of direction. It was difficult to kind of take the advantage in that.

But yeah, I gave it all today. She was playing well, as well. I think she played a great match. But yeah, I mean, I played quarterfinals of Wimbledon, so I can't be too sad about it. Trying to take the positives with me.

Q. You hadn't played her before. What did you expect coming into the match, and how did she surprise you?

ELISE MERTENS: I mean, definitely a tough opponent. I think she had a great grass season so far. She won a tournament. Been doing well throughout the whole year. A coming-up player. The last year she played pretty good, too.

But yeah, hard hitter. You cannot give her two, three balls into her strokes. Yeah, I was definitely expecting a tough match. She's a good opponent.

Q. Do you think on that performance and in general Linda is capable of winning the whole thing?

ELISE MERTENS: I mean, it's only two matches away, right? It's not like it's first or second round.

I mean, yeah, I think anything is possible. She's really feeling the ball. I think under pressure she's still playing well, especially also the last game. I mean, serving to go into the semifinals, kind of served really well.

I think she is one of the contenders, for sure.