“Elina held a press conference after her triumph at the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland”, — write: sport.ua
“It was a really difficult week with matches of a different nature, but I am very satisfied with my performance, how I handled the pressure, strong opponents and difficult situations. So I’m very happy to win and win a trophy on these courts, considering the experience I had two years ago when I fell short (against Coco Goff) in the final, but this time I won another trophy.
19 wins in 23 finals? It’s hard to say why, but I try to be 100% focused on every point in the final. I think in the final you feel mixed feelings and the pressure is huge. That is why it is important to fight. You just need to focus and work on winning the title. And yes, while everything is going well.
An early end to the season and the start of a new year? Of course, this victory means a lot to me, especially after the difficult end of last season. Psychologically, I was in a very bad state and decided to take a break in order not to finish the season, and mentally I was exhausted.
Sometimes it’s not easy to end the season early, but sometimes you have to take one step back to take two or three steps forward. I think I’m in good shape now. I play well. The off-season was successful. I was ready to work, because when you are mentally exhausted, you don’t even have the strength to work, to cope with difficult situations, to be stable.”
Monfils and his trophy in Auckland in 2026? We really enjoy playing here. Nothing we didn’t like, except for the occasional wind. But we can’t control it, it’s nature. I think the organization is great and the fans are just amazing.
Most of the matches have a full stadium, even everyone stays late to watch the games and everything is organized really well. Therefore, of course, as a player, it is nice to return to such tournaments.”
