“I imagine it’s never pleasant to see that you’re going to play a first round against a former Grand Slam winner.
It’s certain that it wasn’t the easiest of the first rounds. She (Sofia Kenin) played very well. I was trying to find my rhythm, especially in the first set. And I’m very happy to have been able to win the important points at the end. In the end, I am happy with the end of the set and my level in the second.
“She would once again become a great source of inspiration. In any case, she is a role model in Australia, I think, for everyone”
After the match, you talked about Ashleigh Barty and the importance she had for you. Can you expand?
It was really painful to play and lose against her. Tactically, we knew what she was going to do, how she was going to move. But she did it so well that there was nothing we could do about it. It was really painful. I really wanted to become better, stronger, to resist his slice. And even though she wasn’t the greatest player, she served very well and found crazy areas. But I knew that if I worked hard, I would have a chance against her. So, yes, she was a great source of motivation. I never won against her. And then, off the court, she seemed to distance herself from it all, despite the pressure and stress it must have caused. She always seemed to be in her bubble and I have a lot of respect for that.
Would you like to see her attempt a return to the circuit?
I would love that, but that’s entirely up to her. I don’t think we can influence it. She would once again become a great source of inspiration. In any case, she is a role model in Australia, I think, for everyone. Yes, I would, but I also totally understand why she stopped. She’s happy now, let’s let her enjoy it. »
