AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2024

Linda Noskova

Press Conference

D. YASTREMSKA/L. Noskova

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Linda, while I know it's not the result that you wanted today, how do you reflect on your time in Australia, which included a big win over the World No. 1?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Yeah, well, right now it's more of, like, a, you know, negative or a sad feeling. I will probably just think about this whole experience back in, like, a few days from now.

Yeah, I mean, great two tournaments. I'm just going to keep going.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can you talk through the match. What do you think was the difference, and were you surprised at how she was kind of able to keep you off the baseline?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Yeah, well, it was really hot today compared to other days, I think. The balls were flying a lot. She was playing really fast, as well.

I kind of felt like I wasn't, like, 100% on court today, maybe because of the fact I didn't really, you know, play the previous match, so I had, like, two days off, let's say. I kind of didn't manage to put myself and put my head into the match from the beginning. So she was just in lead and in control the whole time.

That was not what I wanted, but I kind of couldn't do much with it.

Q. It feels like world rankings are just a number in the Grand Slams and the women's tour sometimes. Does it give you confidence when you see these draws opening up, and you can go out and beat the World No. 1, someone can beat the world No. 5, do you go into a Grand Slam and think there's no reason I can't be in the second week and farther?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Yeah, I think especially in women's tennis there can be a lot of surprises on a Grand Slam. So yeah, I mean, if someone plays their best tennis, they can beat a lot of good players, including me.

So some days are good; some days are bad. Yeah, I didn't really play my best today, so that happens.

Q. One of the players on the other side of the draw, Coco Gauff, you've played a couple of times and haven't beaten. Curious what makes her tough, makes her so tough or what has caused problems for you and other women of late, especially?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I mean, she has a great serve. It's really tough to break her. She has great movement. She has some great groundstrokes. So yeah, I didn't really see yesterday's match, but it was, I think, tough for her, because Marta, she can play aggressive, as well. I mean, she's one of the best players in the world.

Q. In terms of taking the momentum and the experience of not just Melbourne but also obviously in Brisbane forward into February, into the Middle East and then obviously North America, what do you think is the key to consistency? Like you said, a lot of the players can have their peaks, but the top players maintain. What do you think is the key for you to maintain?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I'm still trying to find out what I can do to kind of keep my level consistent or at least especially what it is. So I mean, we'll find out throughout this year, probably. I mean, I just need to be prepared for, I think, every tournament and, yeah, just be physically and mentally fine all the time.

Q. Linda, were you surprised that Dayana's level stayed so high throughout the match? Were you expecting a dip there at all?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I expected a tough match, but, I mean, I didn't play much of what I should have, so it's not that it was easy for her to, you know, be in front of me all the time, but I didn't have many winners or aces, so I didn't really help myself a lot.

Yeah, didn't really make it that difficult for her.

Q. If she plays at that sustained level, can you see her making the final, getting past the semifinals?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I don't know. I don't know who she's going to play with or if she's going to maintain the level, so I don't think even she knows that or anyone else right now.