THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 29, 2026

Hannah Klugman

Press Conference

B. KREJCIKOVA/H. Klugman

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just wonder how you sort of feel about that match, because obviously the start wasn't the best, but then you really kind of got into the match, and you potentially could have pushed it to a third set.

HANNAH KLUGMAN: Yeah, I mean, she's obviously a two-time Grand Slam champion for a reason. I definitely felt that out there today.

You know, her variety was, yeah, the slice was unbelievable. I don't think I have experienced a slice that good before.

But yeah, obviously I had chances. I felt like throughout the whole match she served unbelievable. Any kind of breakpoint I had she made an unbelievable first serve. Yeah, I just didn't really take any chances I had. And then obviously in the second set, I did. And then obviously started to serve better in the second.

Yeah, obviously I was in it in the second set, there were just glimpses of good stuff out there. But, yeah, obviously some good positives to take from that.

Q. Curious how different does the level feel playing against someone like her, former champion here?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: I mean, I think that's probably the best player I have played so far in my career. Yeah, I mean, her level, yeah, her ball was a joke to be fair. I've never really felt that, her forehand, the jump on her forehand. Just her variety was, yeah, was pretty good.

So it's great. So much to take to the practice court now. All these matches are kind of, you know, just a good experience for me and learning. So kind of excited to get going and train.

Q. Obviously you had a wildcard last year, a wildcard this year. How do you feel you maybe coped with everything better this year than last year? Seems like there was a big improvement.

HANNAH KLUGMAN: Definitely, definitely. I mean, going into this grass court match, I obviously had some amazing matches against some top players, so I definitely feel like my level is there at times. It's just kind of bringing it all the time and training with the intent all the time.

So, yeah, that's obviously great, that's a positive, but it's also, I've got to keep working and keep getting better.

Q. How would you assess your grass court season in general?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: I mean, definitely happy with it. You know, obviously I wanted -- I think it's always tough. It's quite emotional, I don't know why. It's Wimbledon done already. I don't know why, but I hate that.

Yeah, I'm definitely happy. It's given me so many things, you know, to think about and to, you know, get better.

Q. Is it kind of quite motivating...

HANNAH KLUGMAN: Yes, exactly.

Q. ...when you come off a match like that?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: I feel so motivated, because I feel you know, it was 4-All, 5-4, had points to go 5-All. In the first set I think I had a breakpoint in most of her service games. So, yeah, you know, it's close, but it's not at the same time, you know.

But, yeah...

Q. What's next for you?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: I don't know. I'm going to have to sort it out with my team now. Going to have that chat.

Q. What do you feel in your game, what do you want to improve after seeing how you have played?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: I think my serve is one of my big weapons, but also something that is very patchy. Sometimes some sets I'm serving unbelievable, some sets I'm not. I'm going to have to improve that.

Also just intent all the time. My forehand, when I go for it, it's a great shot, but, you know, I can get a bit passive on it. You just can't do that against these sorts of players.

I'm getting better, so yeah.

Q. When you are getting passive, is that just because you're weary of making errors?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: Yeah, I think I'm so used to playing at junior events, you don't have to, you know, the first shot, you don't always have to go for it as much. You can build your way into the points.

You just can't do that here. One bad shot, and they're just on it. You know, her forehand to my forehand, she was absolutely taking me out.

So, yeah, I think, yeah, that's what I need to get better.

Q. Transition from the juniors, has it been the main difference for the intensity? Has it been as you were expecting or is the gap bigger than you were expecting?

HANNAH KLUGMAN: Yeah, I think the gap's bigger than I thought, but also it's not. Like, I mean, the players I'm playing, these players I played on the grass court season, obviously different level to players I have been playing in 35Ks and stuff.

I think it's just kind of the mentality. 35Ks you're playing week after week, you're losing more, and I think that's tough. So just kind of staying positive all the time. I think that's kind of been tough for me.

But now, you know, I know where my level can be. It's kind of exciting, like I want to be here. I want to get here on my own.

So, yeah, that's motivating.