AUSTRALIAN OPEN

February 9, 2021

Francesca Jones

Press Conference

S. ROGERS/F. Jones

6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Not ideally the result that you wanted today obviously, but could you just talk through the match from your perspective today.

FRANCESCA JONES: Well, didn't start probably as quickly as I'd like to but I managed to get myself into the first set. I felt like my tennis was kind of on par at some stages, probably better than hers in terms of when we're playing some of the longer points.

But I think the big difference was obviously she's got a very big serve, and I think for me the main thing is that one error can really change momentum at this level, and that's something I need to get used to and definitely will be aware of next time I find myself at this sort of tournament.

Q. What's the whole experience been like for you here, given all the unusual things that have been happening?

FRANCESCA JONES: In terms of COVID?

Q. Well, yeah, just in terms of COVID, all the other layers that have been associated with it.

FRANCESCA JONES: Yeah, I mean, obviously it's phenomenal that Tennis Australia have got this event going. I mean, they are definitely a huge example compared to any other sporting event worldwide, really.

Who knows when I would have been waiting to play my first main draw at a Grand Slam if Tennis Australia wouldn't have put this ahead. So really, really grateful to them and hope that we can continue getting the tour done for the rest of the year.

But, I mean, it's great to have people, crowds and just interact with other humans that aren't always tennis players.

Q. Your profile has increased obviously in the last couple of months, and did you feel like you had people out there supporting you during your match out there today?

FRANCESCA JONES: Yeah, I mean, I had some guests myself. I have extended family based here in Australia, so a few of them came over, I was really happy about, have some familiar faces.

Yeah, I was extremely focused on my match, and I heard a couple of "Come ons" from outside, I'm sure I have had loads of messages and a lot of support the last few weeks and I'm really grateful for that, and hopefully I can continue building that group of support, I guess.

Q. What are you going to take away from your debut Grand Slam?

FRANCESCA JONES: I think as I previously mentioned just being aware of, you know, the quick momentum changes at this level. I think, you know, there are a lot of positives, although my tone of voice might not be seeing it right now.

You know, I'm going to sit down and watch the match with my coach when I'm slightly more objective, but I think overall I have proved that I can compete at this level, and I think now it's about accumulating as many matches as possible over the next 12 months against players such as Shelby or even of a higher level.

My feet are very much on the ground. Back to reality for me, it's been great here, but it's all about working hard in the day to day, and, you know, as I said, my feet are very much on the ground, and I just want to get going with what happens next.

Q. There was something curious seemed to happen in the second game of the second set. You were serving at Love-30. It looked to me like a ball Shelby hit was well out but it was called in. What happened there?

FRANCESCA JONES: That's a really good question. I don't know who is in charge of the refereeing system that's here, but certainly questionable, extremely questionable, I have seen the replay that was shown on, was it Eurosport or wherever, and it's clearly out. Massive, massive, massive momentum change at that point, but I'm not going to sit here and say one point was an excuse of the whole match.

There were areas that I needed to improve and I certainly think that makes a big difference. Again, they really need to check that system. I have seen a couple of mistakes that have been shown. I think there was one in Dan Evans versus Borna Coric the other day as well which was pretty clear.

I much prefer human error than systematic error. Look, it's a new system and I understand why it's being used but I think that definitely needs to be revised.

Q. Was there a screen on that court where they could show what they call close calls?

FRANCESCA JONES: Yeah. Very weirdly that was shown, and then I saw the replay on Eurosport which was shown quite clearly out. And I had her coach in my corner next to the towel and he also said the ball was out.

Q. Did that affect you in terms of how your kind of composure was, and did you try and discuss it with the umpire?

FRANCESCA JONES: I mean, the umpire can't do anything at that moment when the replay that's being shown is in. Obviously which replay is correct, I mean, I've seen it live on the video.

But look, as I said, in the scheme of things it's one point within the two sets that were played. Of course big difference serving at Love-30 to 15-30 when it's 2-Love, and I think, you know, that's pretty lucky one there. Well, lucky for her, unlucky for me. As I said, there's a lot that I still need to improve on, and I'm not going to sit here and say that's why I lost the match.

Q. Wondering if you felt you had really learned anything about yourself from this tournament, like playing in the main draw, whether you feel extra confident now, you're capable of doing it after that kind of first set or what you need to work on going forward, et cetera?

FRANCESCA JONES: Yeah, you know, I'm very realistic, and I don't like to be sat on cloud nine at all. So for me I guess, yes, it's a nice start to the year, it's great to have this experience and it will add hopefully to my future.

And, you know, if I find myself at Roland Garros or at Wimbledon, then, you know, it's something I can refer to for the future in terms of things that I need to work on. It's, as I said previously, just being aware of the momentum changes.

I think, you know, my first-serve percentage was a bit lower than hers today, but I do need to look back on the match I think, and right now maybe for me it's just making sure that next time I step on the court I adjust any mistakes I might have made today.

Q. Do you think you'll find it easy to readjust to the tournaments you need to play in over the next few weeks and months? Obviously not going to be the same stage that you have had. It's a stage you're more used to, but do you think it could be an issue just adjusting again to playing in front of very few people?

FRANCESCA JONES: Well, in terms of playing in front of people, I don't think anyone will be playing in front of people when we get back to whatever tournaments are next for the WTA once everyone is out of Australia.

So in terms of playing in front of people, no, we have been used to that. This has been a massive privilege, and again, one that I'm very thankful for to the Australian government and to Tennis Australia, they've done a phenomenal job to get fans here. I think players, it will really set a lot of people in good stead for the future and for the rest of the year, give a lot of people energy.

But in terms of for me, yeah, honestly, you know, this is the pinnacle, one of the four pinnacles of the year, but as I said, I know where I'm coming from, and I know where I'm going to.

It would be great to continue playing Grand Slams every week of the year, but it's also unrealistic. So for me, back to work, back to giving it everything every day, and I hope you guys see me soon, but in the meantime I will just be knocking away at whatever door is next.