AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2023

Linda Fruhvirtova

Press Conference

D. VEKIC/L. Fruhvirtova

6-2, 1-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Linda, tough today, but overall you must be somewhat pleased about the great results you had here at Australian Open and reaching round of 16.

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Yeah, definitely was a very positive tournament for me. I mean, I was close today, but -- so it sucks, of course, but I think I'm going to get some more chances here in the following years.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What did it show you about how close you are and what you need to do to take that next step?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Yeah, I mean, it definitely showed me that I can -- I can be in Grand Slam quarterfinals. You know, I have the level to be there.

I think Vekic is in really good form right now. But, yeah, it was about a few points. I was really good in the rallies.

Yeah, I mean, it was close, but it definitely showed me what to work on next and come back stronger.

Q. As you won a few matches here, did you start to think, I can go really far, or were you still thinking, you know, I'm young and this is a learning experience, or was it some combination of both?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: I think a combination of both, but mainly, you know, you're always trying to take it match by match, day by day. But, of course, you think how far you can go. I think it's very open right now in women's tennis. All the girls are very close level-wise.

I think it's important just to focus on the match you're playing, and that's it.

Q. Just chatting to some of the legends outside, and a lot of them had really nice words to say about you and your sister on the tour. A few of them comparing you guys to Venus and Serena. How does that make you feel just being put in that breath?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, of course, it's an honor, but I don't really -- I wouldn't really compare us to Serena or Venus. You know, they're legends of the sport.

We always loved to watch them on the court, you know, when we were younger, and they're definitely an inspiration, but we never wanted to copy anyone. Yeah, I don't think it's right to compare us.

It's true we're both sisters. We can be good, and we'll see what happens, but I think it's too soon to compare us to Serena and Venus.

Q. I was going to say in terms of being able to do it with your sister, how great is that for you, and is this your first big sort of trip together to a tournament like this?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Yeah, I mean, it's our first pro Grand Slam together, so it's definitely special, and I love having her here. You know, after last year we were separated a lot. We had totally different schedules.

So, yeah, we couldn't wait to travel somewhere together finally. Yeah, we're enjoying it.

Q. Who is more competitive out of you two?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: It's hard to say, you know, we both are fighters on the court, but maybe in general probably me. But, yeah, it's -- we're different personalities, but once she steps on the court, she's definitely a fighter as well.

Q. At 17 but going so far in a tournament, you probably can't sneak up on anybody anymore. Nobody is going to be surprised by you. How do you think you'll experience that or do you expect people to approach matches with you differently through the rest of the year?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Well, definitely the more matches I play on this level, you know, the more the other players are going to know me, are going to know my game. But, I don't know, I'll just try to keep improving my game so it doesn't matter if they know me or don't (laughing).

Q. How do the Czechs keep doing this, keep producing so many good women players in particular? What's the secret?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: I get asked this question a lot, but I never know what to say, kind of. You know, we're pretty competitive. There are a lot of players.

Also especially for girls, you know, tennis is very popular sport in Czech Republic, so, you know, most of the girls play it or... There's a big number, a big percentage of girls that play tennis in Czech.

Yeah, I think it's competitive, competitive parents and... Yeah.

Q. I mean, obviously you could still be playing juniors. Do you sometimes think, Wow, look where I've got when there's girls my age who are just winning matches in the juniors still?

LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA: Yeah. Sometimes I'm thinking, Oh, I could still play juniors this year. I mean, it's pretty cool. Just watching, just seeing the juniors playing here and knowing that I could still play this year, yeah, it feels kind of weird too.

Yeah, it's definitely -- it shows me that I'm on a good path. Yeah, I'll just keep working hard and see where it takes me.