BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL

December 31, 2023

Arina Rodionova

Press Conference

A. RODIONOVA/M. Trevisan

6-3, 6-2

Q. Tell us, how does it feel to get the season off to a start with a win like that?

ARINA RODIONOVA: Hey, as I said on court, it was so much fun being out there. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Yeah, it was just a full house, playing in front of so many people, and everyone is obviously supporting me. It's been a great experience, and I'm happy to get a win.

Q. Can you talk a little bit more about the atmosphere? You've been playing a lot of RTF tournaments lately. Was that very different walking out to a huge stadium? Were you expecting it to be so full?

ARINA RODIONOVA: It was funny because a couple of weeks ago I played in India, and we had a similar stadium, and the crowd was also going crazy. Yeah, it was kind of similar in a way, so I'm almost a little used to it now.

Playing small tournaments is definitely -- yeah, people don't even know that there's a tournament in town, and it's kind of yourself, your opponent, and their coach. Since I don't have a coach, it's just three of us, so yeah, quite different.

Q. You mentioned you're playing in India. You had quite a late season as well. How are you feeling physically? Did you have a break at all?

ARINA RODIONOVA: I had like three days off. Mostly because I was sick in Dubai after my last one. Yeah, I played a lot of matches last year, and I think at this stage of my career it really kind of helping me right now. I feel great on court.

I might have to take a break sometime. Maybe like March or April. Right now, yeah, I'm excited to play, and I'm ready to go. Yeah, I feel physically pretty good.

Q. What are your goals for 2024?

ARINA RODIONOVA: Well, it's still 2023, so I haven't really thought about it. I still have tonight, this afternoon to come up with some.

Look, I just want to enjoy. As I said, I was coming back from the injury playing low-level tournaments, and it's not an easy lifestyle, let's put it that way. This year it's been a long and hard road to get back here, and I just want to -- yeah, I think I deserve to enjoy it a little bit.

I'm going to take it easy on myself. No expectations. Just win or lose, just actually try to have fun out there, and today was a good example. You play a lot better tennis when that's the attitude. Yeah, I'll just enjoy it.

Q. Have you surprised yourself with the results the last 12 months?

ARINA RODIONOVA: Yeah, I think I surprised a lot of people. I surprised myself more than anyone. Yeah, I'm just playing really good. I get there, I get there. I don't get there, I don't get there. It's not exactly my goal. We'll take it one match at a time.

Q. Your next match is Sofia Kenin. Have you thought about that matchup?

ARINA RODIONOVA: I don't think I've played her. I haven't really thought about it. Look, I have no exactly expectations. I'm not the favorite there. I think I'm in a pretty good place to be. Just will go out there and enjoy the match.

Q. You're the Aussie No. 1 woman right now. What does that title feel like?

ARINA RODIONOVA: I mean, I wish we had maybe few more girls inside top hundred. Australian tennis probably not in the best position right now. That's not something to celebrate, I think.

I think guys are doing a lot better. I think we have 10 men in the top hundred, which is great achievement. I hope women can get there in next few years. I hope to still be, like, one of them.

Yeah, look, it's great addition to everything I've done this year. I won like 70-something matches, I played so much, have career-best ranking, Aussie No. 1. It wasn't my goal, let's say, for 2023, but it sounds pretty good to me.