Insider Podcast: Halep, Wozniacki get the final say
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - World No.1 Simona Halep and World No.2 Caroline Wozniacki joined the WTA Insider Podcast on the eve of their big showdown in Saturday's Australian Open final to discuss their dramatic runs to their third major finals. The stakes could not be higher on Saturday, as the winner will leave Melbourne with her maiden Slam title as well as the No.1 ranking.
Saturday's final will be a historic one. For the first time in the Open Era, two women have advanced to a Slam final having saved match points en route. Wozniacki came back from the brink against Croatian qualifier Jana Fett in the second round, saving two match points to rally from 1-5 down in the final set and win.
Halep has made her own history, becoming the first player to save match points against two different opponents to make a Slam final. The Romanian saved three match points in the third round to defeat American Lauren Davis in a marathon match that ended 15-13 in the decider, and she repeated the feat in the semifinal, saving two match points to defeat 2016 champion Angelique Kerber 9-7 in the third set.
So who sounds more relaxed and which woman has a better perspective of the final? You make the call.
Listen to the newest episode of the WTA Insider Podcast below to find out:
Halep on how she's feeling on the eve of the final:
"Well, I'm feeling ok. I'm a little bit tired of course because I had so many hours on court. But I feel good, I feel relaxed, I don't feel the pressure of the match. I slept a lot. Now I'm looking forward to practice a little bit to feel the ball. It's all good. I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow, to enjoy the time, and to be focused on myself because it's the most important thing to play my game.
Wozniacki on how she's feeling on the eve of the final:
"I'm excited. I'm actually feeling really good about it. I think I was more nervous before the semifinals. I think there was a lot more pressure on me and a lot more expectation. I think going out there tomorrow, playing Simona, she's obviously a great player, No.1 in the world. I think it's a fun story. No.1 and No.2 playing each other for that No.1 ranking and for our first Grand Slam. I think it's awesome. These are the moments we practice for, these are the moments we've prepared for our whole carers. I'm going to go out there and fight and leave my heart out there and hope that it's good enough."
Wozniacki on the particular difficulties presented by the Australian Open:
"I think it's a very hard Slam to go far in, especially for me, because being on a roll, playing a lot of matches, getting in that rhythm is great for me. Usually the underdogs have a little bit of an advantage because they don't really have anything to lose, they've had a great off-season, they're feeling strong and healthy, and you don't know some of the players because there are always new ones coming up at the start of the year. I think that's why we see a lot of surprises in the early rounds. I was close to being out in the early rounds but I managed to get through that and I think that gave me a little bit of calmness."
Halep on how she's feeling compared to her previous runs to the French Open final in 2014 and 2017:
"It's different. I feel different. I don't feel that pressure anymore. Emotionally it's maybe the same. It's a big match, it's a big day tomorrow. But I just try and I feel that I can take it like a normal match. If it's gonna happen, OK, if not, I'm sure if I keep working like this I'm sure I will keep facing these opportunities in the future. I'm OK. I will give everything I have and for sure it will be OK after, doesn't matter the result."
"I said it in the speech at the French Open and here I am again in the final of a Slam. If I keep working like this and if I'm motivated to get better day by day I will face more of these matches and moments."
Halep on the improved aggression in her game:
"I'm changed. I'm better than at the French Open. At the French Open, even if everybody said I didn't risk it, I didn't go to take the points, that was my limit at that moment. In my opinion I did everything I could in that match but I couldn't do more because of the emotional part, and maybe because of the game. I didn't have it strong in my head that I have to risk or take the initiative.
"Now I'm better. I worked on it. I feel I'm not afraid of losing, I just refuse to lose. I refuse to accept that she can be better in somethings against me on court. That's why I push my limit very high in every match I play."
Wozniacki on building her reputation as one of the toughest outs in tennis:
"I take a lot of pride in how I've managed to keep my body physically fit and strong throughout my career. I think I've won a lot of matches on that, I've won a lot of matches mentally. Going into a third set I feel good about my body and how I'm feeling. It takes a lot of work but it's something that I'm definitely very proud of. It's something that I'll always have so it's something I know I can always fall back on so regardless if I'm having a good day or bad day, at least my fighting spirit will always be there."
Wozniacki on her mindset going into her first Slam final since 2014:
"I'm trying to go into that match tomorrow the same exact way that I've gone into every single match I've played here. Honestly, win or lose, the sun will come up tomorrow, it's going to be the same exact thing. I'm going to be the same person, I'm going to have the same family and friends around me. Win or lose, so long as I gave it my all I'm going to be proud of myself and be happy with whatever outcome it may be."