Media Day Roundup: Kvitova downplays favorite status ahead of Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England - The weekend before the first day of Wimbledon is jam-packed with two things: practice and press conferences. World No.1 Simona Halep, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, British No.1 Johanna Konta, and Japan's No.1 Naomi Osaka took to the dais in Wimbledon's main interview room to field a host of questions. 

READ: Simona Halep ready to get back to work after Paris triumph.

Here are the highlights:

No.8 Petra Kvitova, who leads the tour in wins (38) and titles (5) on being tagged the favorite to win:

"Well, I've been hearing this every year I'm playing Wimbledon, so it's not really anything special. I heard the same last year, as well, even [when] I just played two tournaments.

"I didn't feel that way last year. Not either this year. I know how the Grand Slams are this year for me. I'm just here probably to try the best and kind of do the best result I can on the Grand Slam this year.

"I don't really feel as a favorite of the Wimbledon anyway."

Q. In Birmingham I believe you said the reasons why you said the success has been coming on the tour level, maybe the last two Slams you wanted it too much, maybe that was why things didn't go your way. Coming into this tournament, one that you love so much, how do you not want it too much?

Kvitova: Well, I do, right (smiling)?

Yeah, I think, like, I'm kind of the player who loves to play those Grand Slams. As I said already, sometimes I want too much, which I tried to be more relaxed in Birmingham. Everything worked perfectly.

I going to try to have the kind of the same mindset here. But obviously, it's not that easy. I know the great memories I have in my mind from the past years. It will be a little bit difficult to play more free. But I'm going to really try, I promise. We'll see what happens.

But overall I'm happy to be here in kind of different situation than the last year, so... I'm really enjoying it.

No.22 Johanna Konta on what she learned from her semifinal run last year:

"I think more than anything is to trust that when I'm playing at my highest level, the level I want to be playing at, I can really, really make an impact in big tournaments. I think that's a massive confidence boost for any player.

"But I think also specifically to here, it was how well I was able to keep a good perspective. I really enjoyed last year's Championships for giving me the opportunity to be at home. I think I really took a lot of confidence in those home comforts. I think that took the edge off everything else that can go around any big tournament."

Konta on whether she feels more pressure this year given last year's Wimbledon success:

"No. I see it in a way that, first of all, we're very fortunate in tennis. We get to have an opportunity almost every week if you really want to perform. I'm treating this week as another opportunity for me to perform and for me to keep building on what I feel is a better and better level that I've been playing over the last number of weeks.

"I'm just looking forward to going out there, competing, doing the best that I can. At the end of the day I'm only accountable to myself. To make sure that I do myself justice in the effort that I put in. Yeah, then there's still a whole second half of the season to play, which I'm also looking forward to."

Q. What is your most unusual pre-match routine, ritual or superstition?

Osaka: I don't really think I have something unusual. I have to listen to the same song going onto the court. But I think that's pretty normal for people.

So in Indian Wells, I was kind of getting tired of the song that I was playing because I had to keep listening to it before I played my match. But other than that, there's nothing really too crazy that I do.

Q. What was the song? Why is it that you listen to that one?

Osaka: Because I was winning! The song, I think it was "Big Shot," Kendrick Lamar.

Q. Have you changed since then? Is it a new song now for you?

Osaka: Yeah, I mean, of course I had to change because I lost. Every time you lose, you have to change the song that you're listening to. But, yeah, it's changed a lot. That's kind of sad, but it has.

Q. What is the song for Wimbledon 2018 for you?

Osaka: I think it's either going to be from Beyonce's new album or Drake's new album, but I didn't choose yet.

No.18 Naomi Osaka on what coach Sascha Bajin brings to the table:

"I don't know why everything he does is so funny to me (laughter). He's like a TV series. Every time he does something, I'm like, Oh, a new episode of Sascha TV.

"Literally every time someone asks me about him, I can't really say anything negative. He's such a nice person. He's always bringing such positive vibes. Sometimes he turns red because I know he wants to tell me something, but he wants me to figure it out. I really appreciate him for that.

"When I first met him, I sort of didn't really expect him to be a good coach. I'm sorry. Because I didn't know if I was just going to hit with him or if he was just actually going to tell me. Like if he knew what he was talking about... In the end he knew what he was talking about.

"He's totally going to be mad at me for this (smiling). He's a super amazing person, super incredible."

Q. I don't think you have played your first-round opponent [Monica Niculescu] before. She has a very unique style. She's the kind of player where you really need to be very calm on the court. What are you going to tell yourself ahead of that match? She drives some players crazy, so...

Osaka: I guess I'm just going to think what you told me (smiling).