AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2022

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/B. Bencic

6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Your winning run continues here in Australia. What was it like out on court today?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: It was great. I'm really happy that I was able to get this win today. Belinda is a really tough opponent, so I knew it was going to be a tough match, especially with the conditions today. I'm just really excited to be in the third round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. What do you think was the key particularly in facing Belinda? You seemed to be rushing her very easily from the baseline in how you were striking the ball today. Tactically, what were you trying to do?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: As I said, the conditions were pretty tough, so I was just trying to be consistent, first and foremost.

Just, yeah, just try to keep the ball deep, because I know she likes time on her shots. I was just trying to give her a hard time from the beginning. I think I used my serve really well today.

So, yeah, overall I think I played pretty well except for losing my focus a little bit in some moments. The conditions were pretty hard, so I'm just happy that I was able to win and also make it two sets.

Q. Looking ahead, we don't know who you'll face, either Naomi or Maddie. Can you talk about what it would be like to face Naomi for the first time and what the match would be like if you face Madison?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I think it would be very exciting to play Naomi. I've been wanting to play her for a while. It would be fun to match up with her in the third round. I'll enjoy it, I'll enjoy the atmosphere. She's an amazing player, so I'll look forward to that.

If I have to play Maddie, I have played her before, so I kind of know how to play against her. So, I mean, it will be exciting regardless.

Q. How would you rate your confidence level at the moment compared to start of the season, start of the Melbourne tournament, not knowing where anything was at at the time to now seven wins, getting good wins, quality wins? Where do you rate how you're feeling confidence-wise?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Well, going into this, I felt confident because I was playing really well at World TeamTennis. I know that's like silly to even say. I know that I can play well, so I knew that my game was there, but going into the first couple tournaments of the season, you just don't know what's gonna happen. I could have lost first round of both these tournaments.

Yeah, I was just honestly going in excited to play and I feel good, which is the most important. Just being able to have fun on the court was the most important thing for me, if I'm able to play, you know, and not be in pain or something's bothering me, that was the most important thing for me.

Going into these tournaments, I was just excited, regardless of the result. I think that's what's most important and has been helping me.

Q. You said you were excited to play Naomi. Why is she someone who you you're so eager to get to face?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Well, I like her game a lot. I like watching her play. I think that our personalities are a little bit similar in terms of, like, composure and trying to be the quiet players on tour (smiling).

Yeah, I think it will just be interesting. And I'm also a pretty aggressive player, so I just want to see how our games will match up. I mean, she's No. 1, former No. 1, I don't know about right now, but, yeah, obviously Grand Slam champion, so, I mean, it will be exciting. Yeah, I'm just looking forward to it.

Q. Have you ever talked to her? Are you both too quiet for that?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: We say hi here and there, but I've never really talked to her on a personal level.

Q. What is your sort of feeling about what you're able to do here this month in terms of getting off on the right foot and what it says about your preparations for the season and everything?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I'm excited, honestly, to start off the season like this. Going into the tournaments after this will be good for me.

I'm just looking forward to kicking off traveling and going to as many tournaments as possible, feeling good. So my ranking is doing a little bit better than it was a couple months ago, so that's a good thing. I'm just hoping that I'll have a good year.