O. JABEUR/A. Sharma
6-2, 6-4
Q. She lived up to what she wanted to do; she made clear she was out for revenge and in that third set she played a pretty solid set. If you could give your thoughts on the match.
ASTRA SHARMA: Yeah, I mean, I don't know who wouldn't want to win after they've lost. Yeah, she came out playing really well. I thought she executed some pretty difficult shots. I definitely was a bit on the back foot and not dictating enough and not pressing her, so yeah, too good. She just was the more offensive player today.
Q. As things were unfolding, what were you trying to say to yourself to maybe try and turn it around?
ASTRA SHARMA: I mean, yeah, exactly that. I just knew I had to start dictating a little bit more and getting my energy up. I think I was trying to extend the rallies a bit too defensively instead of just playing to my strengths, not reacting so much to what she was doing and just try and play my game instead, so I didn't really do that today.
Q. Second set obviously tightened up a little bit more, but again, the right points at the right time for her, correct?
ASTRA SHARMA: Yeah, I mean, like I was definitely starting to play the right way towards the end of that second set. I just ran out of time. I started off with a couple early breaks in both sets and had those maybe been a bit different, I think I would have had enough time to start playing the way I wanted to. Unfortunately today it took too long and she closed me out.
Q. What do you take away from this French Open experience? I know it's still so soon after the match, but what do you think?
ASTRA SHARMA: I mean, it was a great opportunity. It was amazing. It's always amazing playing at the French Open. The crowd was really loud, really great. It was a special match for sure, but I think, yeah, going forward, I think being able to consistently at the highest levels week in and week out kind of assert myself on to other people, yeah, even the biggest matches, biggest moments, that's what I need to do.
Q. If you were able to change anything, a hypothetical I understand, what would that be? Would it be just a matter of trying to assert yourself a lot more as you indicated, or was there a particular point that might have turned things or a particular shot that you weren't happy with?
ASTRA SHARMA: No, I think that would be about it. I think even not playing great, it was still close. There were points here and there. I maybe could have done a bit better returning today, but yeah, I think if I just started out the right way in terms of kind of imposing myself, I think the match would have been a lot closer, and I think there would have been more opportunities for me to get stuff done.
Q. And it being a major, does it take a little bit longer to get over a loss like this or in a couple of hours it'll be okay? What's your normal mindset on those sorts of things?
ASTRA SHARMA: Yeah, I mean, for sure you feel more disappointed when it's a Slam, but at the same time I think I've matured and grown enough to know that it's a match; I'll have another match next week. The key is treating them all the same. Winning at a Slam and losing at a Slam feels different for sure, but in some ways I do try and treat every win and loss at other tournaments the same. At the end of the day I want to get better, and that'll happen at the other tournaments, not just at Slams, so yeah.
Q. What is your schedule for the grass? Is it starting at Nottingham or where?
ASTRA SHARMA: Yeah, should be starting at Nottingham.
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