Gabriela Ruse, currently ranked 72nd in the WTA, recently shared her thoughts following a challenging first round at the UniCredit Iași Open, where she lost to Spain’s Kaitlin Quevedo, ranked 100th, with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
After the match, Ruse attended a press conference and expressed her feelings about the game. “It was a tough match, something I anticipated. I struggled to adjust to the clay surface after playing on grass; I needed more training days to prepare. I’m a bit disappointed, but that’s tennis. Now, I’ll take a break and reset for the hard court season,” she stated.
Reflecting on the match dynamics, Ruse mentioned, “I don’t think I lost the match specifically in the third or fourth game of the second set; it was already a lengthy contest. I started well, but gradually felt more pressure. I wanted to win and finish points quickly, which led to numerous mistakes. I believe I should have played differently to secure a win, focusing on patience and constructing points more effectively.”
Gabriela Ruse Implements New Service Technique
Ruse also employed a technique she hadn’t used in prior matches: serving from the hand. “I simply couldn’t find any solutions. Each point felt like a struggle. It was entirely different from playing on grass, where a good serve can quickly end a rally. I faced a very challenging opponent for my first match,” she admitted.
Continuing her thoughts, she added, “Tennis is incredibly demanding. I am the only player to have defeated Noskova on grass, and she subsequently won Wimbledon. There are good and bad days. What matters is the long-term performance throughout the year. Right now, I feel I’m on a positive trend and I don’t want to be discouraged by today’s match, especially since I’ve accomplished many good things recently. I want to keep this positive momentum going.”
I need a few days off as I have played a lot. I believe this has been my longest season yet. I will then start the hard court season with the Toronto tournament, followed by Cincinnati and the US Open – Gabriela Ruse
The Romanian player was also asked about the pressure she feels when competing at home tournaments. “There is definitely a lot of pressure, and I don’t feel mentally comfortable playing at home because I want to win so much. I want to make people happy, which adds extra pressure that I shouldn’t impose on myself. I’m working on this with my psychologist. I haven’t found the solution yet, but I hope things improve,” she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Gabriela Ruse Engages with Young Fans
Despite her loss, Ruse took a moment to remain on the court, signing autographs and taking photos with young fans. “It’s really tough, especially when you play at home and want to thank the people, but it’s something I’ve learned throughout my career. Even when you’re upset after a loss, you need to stay and provide autographs for kids. I remember being a child, dreaming of being in their shoes one day. It brings me immense joy to see happy faces, even after today’s match didn’t end as I had hoped,” she remarked.
