AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 22, 2024

Anna Kalinskaya

Press Conference

A. KALINSKAYA/J. Paolini

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Anna, you're into your first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Talk about how you're feeling right now, your emotions, and how you thought the match went.

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I'm very happy about this win. I tried to not think... Of course, it's exciting to be in the quarterfinals, but I just trying to enjoy every match and play point-by-point.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It almost seemed like there were no signs of nerves today. You seemed calm. How did you feel on court today?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Yeah, I felt focused and calm, just trying to follow my plan what I have to do. I'm happy that it worked. Trying to stay focused.

Q. To reach your first quarterfinal, how much of a career milestone is this moment for you?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I think I don't realize it yet. I'm staying calm and positive. Just not think about what's going on. Just to play and enjoy.

But it's definitely a boost of confidence for the future.

Q. I saw you had lots of fans out there holding up signs. Do you know them? How much does their support mean to you?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Yeah, it feels great. They're super fun. I didn't know them before this tournament. They came to watch me from the round one. So I met them in the first match. They keep coming to watch me every single match.

Yeah, I feel a lot of support.

Q. Two players into the quarterfinals with women as their coaches, part of their teams. Can you talk about the experience of working with her for so long and what she brings to the table for you?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Yeah, we are together for four and a half years. So I trust her a lot. She helps me outside of the court and inside as well.

It's very important to trust your coach and to have this connection because when you have a tough moment, you need someone you can look and understand you without any doubts.

I'm very happy to work with Patricia. I hope we improve, and I hope we will keep improving.

Q. What is it about her, when you started working with her, that made you kind of trust her, to build that trust?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Well, trust comes with time for me. I think she's a very understanding person. She listens a lot. It's important I think for the coach to understand the player. She used to play herself, so she's been through what I'm going. She understands a lot.

Q. What has her reaction been throughout this tournament? What are the key things she's been telling you?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Nothing special. She's a very positive person. Doesn't matter if I win or lose, we are trying to wake up, stay positive every single day, do our job. If you work hard and if you have a plan, I think the result will come in the future.

Q. Obviously we don't know who you're going to play. In terms of your game, what aspects of your game do you have most trust in at this stage?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: I think overall in general I feel good on the court. I wouldn't say one specific shot or the plan. I'm just trying to adjust every single match to the player. Every player is different.

Before the match, I don't know who I'm playing, but tonight I'm going to watch and study little bit and then see and talk with my coach about the plan.

Q. What do you enjoy most about Australia?

ANNA KALINSKAYA: Playing, definitely. Yeah, the crowd is very, very into tennis. So many people are coming to watch. They support both of the players. It's special to play here.

Yeah, the weather, I was lucky with the weather. I like it.