Photo: Porsche press database

KRISTINA MLADENOVIC

(after her 6-3, 6-2 win against Carla Suarez Navarro)

QUESTION: Again a great match, great form. Can you tell us what it was like against Carla? What was it today?

MLADENOVIC: Yes, I think this match was very different today. If you watched you could see that I tried to play a bit of a different game of what I’m usually producing. I always tried doing a pass with Carla and she is very talented, plays a lot of top spin, opens the court, mixes up, plays a lot of angles and especially on clay it takes even more … the bounce is higher. You know, now I’m capable of also producing that kind of game. As I told you in the past I have variations but it’s another thing to think about it, to work on it and to come here and doing it in the match. I really tried you know at times when she was putting all these heavy top spin shots not to rush and place my back and also play with a heavy top spin, opening myself angles and giving myself more time to then step in the court and be aggressive. I’m very happy because I also enjoyed that kind of game, it's maybe less powerful or slower at times but it’s smart and it’s tough when you play angles and make the opponent run it’s a great tactic as well.

QUESTION: How do you feel about playing Maria? And obviously a lot has been said this week about Maria’s comeback. Do you think that you might feel that extra nervous?

MLADENOVIC: I don’t feel nervous at all about facing her. It’s a semi-final. So, whoever is on the other side of the net, it’s one of the best events of the year, of the season; all of the players appreciate this tournament. It’s such a great event to be part of, especially when you go deep in the event. And about Maria, we were all aware of her comeback this week and she has shown a great form. She is fresh, she’s producing some great tennis. So, on my side I’m just expecting a very difficult match like all the players that I played. They are all great. It’s a very tough field. So, it’s going to be difficult.

QUESTION: Do you think it’s right that Maria Sharapova is even in the draw this week?

MLADENOVIC: Of course, we had to answer a lot of these questions. You know, I think in sports nowadays it’s also about media, you guys, the business and everything. Maria is a big name, she makes people come and watch her. On one hand, I totally understand the tournaments, like these ones on the WTA Tour, that want her in the draw because she is very famous. So, I understand they want more, not drama, but like more media and everything around. So, it’s part of the business and I think the tournament directors are thinking that way because they want to make their tournaments the best possible. Then, on the other hand, of course we can ask those questions and see if it’s fair to get Wild Cards. I mean it’s a fact that she’s been caught for positive anti-doping but she’s not the first some and some other players also got the right to come back and play tennis but with a different road. They wouldn't get invitations in the tournaments. So, that’s the question. Of course, she is authorized to come back and play tennis but then the question is like why she get that extra help compared to some other players.

QUESTION: After your win against Angelique Kerber, our local her, did you get any reactions from people in the hotel, in the arena or are you still unknown?

MLADENOVIC: (laughs) That's a very interesting question. You know what, luckily or not, this event and site is very convenient and there are just a few steps to do outside from the club to get to my hotel room. So, besides the bodyguard and one or two fans out there, I didn’t meet a lot of people. So, I can’t really answer that question. I think I’m still quite unknown (laughs).

Photo: Porsche press database

QUESTION: Also you’ve been watching Maria’s matches quite a bit this week. As you said you’re doing a lot of the scouting. What did you see particularly that she maybe was doing well or that she wasn’t doing well? What sort of consequences do you get from that in terms of what you have to do tomorrow in order to end up on the winning side?

MLADENOVIC: As you said, I’m hanging around watching everybody and I did a great job because I’m in the semi-final and I'm playing against her, so I did the right move to go out there and watch a little bit. Like I said, she’s been quite impressive. She didn’t play for a long time and coming back in such a strong event and beating some quality player with all king of different games, she played the experienced player, younger, but like different style, and she showed a great from. She didn’t drop a set so far. So, I will definitely have to play my game as I was doing so far trying to adjust the best tactic depending of the opponent – obviously, I’m not going to tell you how I’m going to play or at least try to play tomorrow (laughs) – but I think she’s still doing like mastering her big game, her A-game, if I have to say. I didn’t hear anything extremely new that she added in her game. I just thought that she is playing her game like really well and solid like she used to be in the past. Obviously, she is a great player, so it’s all going to be about small details. We are at that stage of the competition that of course it’s going to be a difficult match.

QUESTION: If you can win against somebody in how far does the name of the other one count? Would it be special to beat Maria Sharapova or is it just about the stage you are and how good she plays and you play?

MLADENOVIC: Well, honestly, a little bit of both. Because if you beat big names in an event it means it’s also a big event, big stage and I feel part of something big. If you are in a smaller like tournament maybe the big crowd, like tennis fans, don't know your opponent it means like you are maybe on a level. So, of course, it’s one thing to beat big names. It’s very nice, very satisfying. But, on the other hand, I’m more looking to go deep in the event and trying to win titles because like yesterday, of course, I’m extremely satisfied and proud to add one more top five name to my list. Angie is also a Grand Slam champion and it’s a very nice feeling. But to me it doesn’t count that much either if the next round I’m losing. It’s satisfaction on a day but then you've got to keep working, keep improving, trying to confirm afterwards and to win. I think I did a great job today about that. Yes, tomorrow it’s going to be an exciting one for everyone.

Photo: Porsche press database

QUESTION: What do you remember of the one match you played against Maria at Wimbledon?

MLADENOVIC: That was a couple of years ago. It was on grass. Grass Centre Court. My first time on Centre Court. I think it was a quite close match if I’m not wrong. I think two sets but I had my chances. She plays great on grass. She feels her game. She showed that she won all the Slams, so she can play really well on all the surfaces. We had that one match. It was quite a long time ago. I don’t remember it all but I could remember that I was there ready to fight and also show my best tennis. So, hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.

QUESTION: Did you already take a look on the beautiful red car?

MLADENOVIC: Red car (laughs). Yes, I had a funny moment on the court during my warm-up. For some reason, the car started to beep like somebody wanted to steal it (laughs). I don't know what happened there. Carla was also like ‘where is this noise coming from.’ Then I just had a silly reaction of playing with the car. I made it silent again. Of course, I mean it’s a semi-final, you can imagine there is only two more matches to go but those matches are the toughest. So, the road is still very long. I’m not thinking about it. Just a match at a time and eventually I can put myself in a great position to try to come back with the red car.

QUESTION: With the scouting and everything that you have to do being your own coach, is it ever tiring, like does it take extra energy emotionally or physically when you have to do all the things that normally you would leave to a coach?

MLADENOVIC: This week not really because as I said from my room to the courts takes approximately 40 seconds (laughs) and the seats are quite comfortable. And I just love my job, I love watching tennis in general, I love watching the girls, they are all great players showing different kinds of games. And I also enjoy watching the others and see what they are doing best because you can always can learn from others as well, how they are using their best weapons in a game and it’s also a part of my job because I know the way I have been playing and it helps me a lot. I’m very into tactics. I think that so far this week I showed that every single match I played differently depending on my opponents. You know, it’s part of the job and if I’m kind of successful that way it’s definitely something I’m going to keep on doing. I don’t see that as a big deal.