D. VEKIC/E. Raducanu
6-0, 7-6
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Emma.
Q. Emma, I'm sure you're frustrated with the result, but you can probably take quite a lot from the second-set intensity and quality-wise, do you think?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think Donna played a great match from the start to the finish. I think she played great yesterday, as well, against Katie.
It was tough to take, for sure, but I had a good week here, and it was just amazing to play at home.
Q. You had some strapping on your thigh. I assume that was to do with the fall yesterday. How much was that a factor? How much was that bothering you maybe, particularly in the first set? Was it that specifically or was it kind of accumulated tiredness, do you think, of the long week?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I mean, I have just been dealing with a few niggles over the past few weeks, and of course the load I have had in the last week, it's been a great problem to have, you know, playing this many matches. And doubling up yesterday, it's not easy to kind of recover from.
So, yeah, grass, these things can happen. You take a few slips. But I think overall I came through a challenging day yesterday. Yeah, I put myself in this position to be in the final.
It was an incredible atmosphere again. The crowd were amazing. Yeah, it meant a lot to have the support all week.
Q. Wondering where you kind of put your level this week in terms of your career. How do you assess it? How has Andrew's influence helped you this week?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think I played really well this week. I think I'm playing pretty freely, pretty aggressively, but finding the right balance, returning, been serving pretty well. It's important on grass.
It's just nice to have the team that I do. I mean, I actually felt bad, because there were so many things in my head and people to thank. I think I forgot to mention them out there in the trophy presentation.
But, I mean, they have helped me through some really sticky situations in the past few months, and it honestly means the world to me for them to believe unconditionally, so yeah, I wouldn't be here also without them.
Q. Tough luck today, but still an incredible week. Where does this rank in your career? Obviously there was the US Open, but where does this week rank in your tennis career?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's incredibly special. You know, playing at home, there is no feeling like it. I was so just in awe of the atmosphere and in awe of the support I received all week. I couldn't really believe it. Even though I know I'm playing at home, it just trumps anything that you ever really think of.
For that, I'm really grateful, and I just see how many people are behind me and rooting for me. It means a lot, because the results don't always go your way the whole season. You see things written about you or spoken about you, but when you play at home, you're just reminded how much support there is actually for you. It means a lot to have that.
Q. Great tournament and great fight. You mentioned how tough yesterday was with the two matches. How much did that play a role in your start today? Did that feel like a hangover from just the efforts you put in yesterday?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think part of it. I think Donna also didn't allow me to really play my game. She came out serving very well, and hitting, striking from the back really well. The first service game I didn't really make a first serve, so that was straightaway a break.
But, yeah, of course, like, fatigue, and you're not driving up as much for your serve, which is such a big thing on grass. It's just been an amazing week, but it's also been a long week, waiting around and some long days.
Yeah, I think everything happens for a reason. You know, that's what I'm clinging onto right now (smiling).
Q. When you reached that final in Cluj, it felt like the illness came at the worst time and knocked you down for a few months. Would you have ever imagined you'd make another one so quickly?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, you know, this season hasn't necessarily -- I haven't really played much this season, but to think I have made two finals so far, which I haven't done in years, it has to be kind of, in a way, celebrated, and it's a good achievement for me and I'm proud of it.
Right now it obviously really stings, so I'm just going to try and let myself feel it today but try and get over it pretty quick.
Q. Do you think there is anything you could have changed tactically to change the outcome of the match?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think so. I think maybe in the beginning I could have done certain things better, but also, like, first serve I think is important, and I wasn't making enough first serves.
You know, she also hit some great shots and great passing shots, got to some really good balls. I have to give her a lot of credit for how she played today.
Q. How much has this week changed the way you look forward to the rest of the grass season and Wimbledon? Or would that always have been the same regardless of how you played this week?
EMMA RADUCANU: I think I have been training well the last months. I think I have been doing the same thing every day, you know. On the clay, I just didn't have the results, but I was applying myself the best I possibly could each day. Even when I didn't necessarily feel like it, even when I felt down about the results, I kept showing up. You know, it was great to see the result of that this week.
I think of course like going into Wimbledon you want as many matches on grass was possible. This week was great. I played five matches on grass. Yeah, for that, it has to be a positive, and you take things that work, take things that didn't work, and, yeah, apply it to whichever week I play next.
Q. I think today might have required a bit more resilience, but one of the words that came up a lot this week was "ruthlessness." Given everything you have been through these past couple months and past years, how pleasing does it feel to hear that word talked about when it comes to you?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think the performances I had this week I played really well. I was able to play and dictate, and that's something I wasn't able to do today. I managed to get myself back into the second set, and I'm proud of how I fought. That's not something that in the past years I have always done, so that's a positive.
But, yeah, I think the performances, you know, yesterday were really good. I played very well against Iva. I mean, Sorana, as well. I think they are some of the players who have won the most matches on tour this year, so I knew I had to play very well, and I did. I have to take positives from that.
Q. Just a check on schedule. Are you still planning on going to Nottingham, or do you think after everything this week take a week off and then go to Eastbourne?
EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I don't know right now. I pretty much came straight into here. I haven't necessarily decided.
When does it start? Tuesday?
Q. Monday and Tuesday, I guess.
EMMA RADUCANU: So tomorrow?
Q. Or Tuesday, I guess.
EMMA RADUCANU: We'll see. We'll see (laughter).
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