AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2023

Marketa Vondrousova

Press Conference

M. VONDROUSOVA/O. Jabeur

6-1, 5-7, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on the win. Obviously you played against a tough opponent. What do you take out of today's match going into the next round?

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: Yeah, we played a few times actually last year. It was my last match before my surgery. So we played three sets. I knew she's a tough player. I think she played some amazing points.

Yeah, it was very tough. Also, it was very late, so I think we were both very tired. I'm just very happy that I stayed focused, and, you know, stayed in the match.

Q. Just what does getting this win and making the third round of the Australian Open, given everything that your body has gone through and probably your mind as well, what does it mean for you to get this?

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: Yeah, I mean, it's amazing. After the surgery, coming back into the big tournaments. I played some smaller ones, then Billie Jean King Cup. You never know how you're going to do in a tournament. I felt good, but the draw was super, super tough.

Then also the late matches and everything, you know, it was kind of crazy. Three days. So I'm just very happy to get the win. Yeah, just, you know, stay alive (laughing).

Q. I mean, how different was how you played today from your practices? It seemed like it took you a little while, but after a while it seemed like the old Marketa, the way that you were moving the ball around and kind of dictating in the way that you can do.

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: Yeah, it's also center court. I didn't play here, like, you know, at all. You know it's different, but I tried to stay focused since the first point.

I felt good. I think she did some mistakes in the first set, so it was 6-1, but I knew it wasn't going to be that easy. She played some great points after.

Yeah, I think it was very tough, you know and, yeah, just, you know, to see that I can compete at this level, it's amazing.

Q. I'm guessing you probably don't practice very much at 1 a.m. in the morning. What is it like playing out there, and do you think it's a mistake that there are matches of this kind of importance at that hour of the day?

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: Yeah, I mean, it's kind of crazy. I think for the body also, I don't think it's healthy to play at 1 a.m. Also, like, if you are playing three sets, it's crazy.

At this level you have to be ready for every point. I don't think it's very healthy, but it's night session, so you have to prepare for it.

Like, the days before were very crazy. You know, they suspended for the heat and then the rain, you know, so I stayed here, like, for 12 hours. Then, you know, I continued the match yesterday, and now three sets again.

Yeah, I was also tired, but I think she was too. You know, it was 2 a.m., so I don't think it's very healthy, and I don't think you can prepare for this also (laughing).

Q. What will tomorrow - or today, I guess - be like for you? Will it be different than your normal day between matches at a Grand Slam tournament?

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: I just need some sleep, and then I have doubles at 4:00 I think. So, yeah, no practice. You know, doubles. Yeah, I mean, for me I think matches are better than practice. I'm happy to play doubles.

Yeah, I mean, it's tough if you finish at 2 a.m., but still, you know, I had to -- I would, like, practice even if I didn't play doubles. You know, at the end of the day I had to get ready for everything, and we will see. Another day, so another chance. Maybe some sleep between (laughing).

Q. How well do you know Linda Fruhvirtova, and what do you expect from that match?

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: It was with me two times in the Fed Cup team. I knew her quite a lot, but we never played. We practiced a few times.

She's a great hitter. I think she's playing amazing for her age also, so it's going to be tough match. I think she has nothing to lose.

And, yeah, I mean, it's a third round so anything can happen. I just want to get some sleep, and we'll see how it goes.

Q. I hate to annoy you with one more question, but just speaking about the surgery and everything, can you just give us a general timeline of when you had the surgery and then when you were able to start hitting again and just kind of work your way back?

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA: I decided for the surgery, like, in May I think, like beginning of May. Then I had a cast for almost two months, so it was very crazy.

Then they took it off, and I started doing some little movements and everything. I played with the soft ball, you know, like with the kids one.

Yeah, but I was happy just to be back on court. I hoped it was that -- the surgery that they did, yeah, it was good and I have no pain, so hopefully it was going to be okay (smiling).