World No. 11 Diana Shnaider shared her thoughts after defeating Jaqueline Cristian 6/3, 6/3 in the third round of the Rome tournament.
Shnaider described the match as “very tough” and “physically intense.” She expressed satisfaction with her performance, on-court conduct, and decision-making, acknowledging Cristian was a “difficult opponent.” Overall, she felt it was a “very good match” and she played at a high level.
She discussed the different conditions, noting it was “much hotter” than previous days and the sun was “really beating down.” This made playing “a bit difficult” and led to some “loss of focus.” She also mentioned the delay caused by the preceding men`s match going to three sets, which affected her preparation routine. Despite these challenges, she was pleased with how she maintained “composure,” “concentration,” and self-support during the match.
Regarding playing in hot or cold weather, Shnaider stated that three years ago she would have preferred the cold, but now she leans towards the heat. She explained that cold weather requires multiple layers, leads to cold hands and sweating exacerbated by wind, making it uncomfortable. She finds it better when the sun is “beating down” and it`s “warm.” While you might “suffer a little” from the heat, “at least you`re warm,” she added with a smile.
