AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 22, 2024

Linda Noskova

Press Conference

L. NOSKOVA/E. Svitolina

3-0 [Ret.]

THE MODERATOR: Linda, perhaps not the way you want to win a match, but what are the emotions on your first Grand Slam quarterfinal?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Yeah, well, it's tough to say after three games, but I'm glad to be in such a round in such a tournament.

I was physically and mentally prepared for a match, so obviously a little sad it had to end this way, but I hope Elina gets well really soon.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. A lot of the Ukrainian players have been quite outspoken about the war this week. You were obviously going up against one today. Was that on your mind going into the match? Are you supportive of them in their message, as well?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Around this topic, I don't know obviously that many informations as Ukrainian people or Russian people do. So I'm not exactly the one that should talk about this topic.

Obviously I know there is a lot of, like, you know, players, Ukrainian players and Russian players that take this very seriously, so, as they should. So obviously such a bad event, let's say, has been happening I think for, like, two years now. Well, it's tough to say for someone, for someone to talk about this topic outside, you know, of that.

Q. Curious how the last couple of mornings have been like in terms of just letting the last win sink in and process. Physically as you enter the quarterfinals, how you're feeling.

LINDA NOSKOVA: Physically I feel fine. Obviously I think that today will help me a little bit for the next round, because obviously my opponent and Vika, they played quite a longer match than we did. So we'll see how I will deal with, you know, my next opponent.

Physically I feel fine right now. So yeah, I just keep myself in a good shape. That's it.

Q. What have you made of Dayana's campaign so far at the AO and the way she carried herself?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I think she's playing really great. She came through quallies and had some great matches here. We've never played each other. I don't really know the way she plays, but I think she's more of, like, an aggressive tennis player.

So I guess we won't have a lot of rallies, but I think that I will just have to be prepared for anything, because I don't really know her style. We'll see what happens.

Q. Coming from a country of great history of brilliant tennis players, can you tell us a bit more about who your favorite players were when you were younger, who you're training with, what your background is that makes you such a phenomenal player that sort of beats the No. 1 here.

LINDA NOSKOVA: Well, when I was younger, I didn't really watch tennis as much as, I don't know, my parents or, like, the people that were around it a little more. But I think when I kind of got into it, I was a big fan of Serena. I always am and always probably will be.

I like her style a lot and the way she carries herself and the person that she is. She's definitely on top of my charts (smiling).

I would actually say that Elina might have been one of them as well. I like her style a lot. She can change the direction or the rhythm of the game really good, so I was always really appreciated of such a player that can go on the net or can do slice. I was counting on this a little for today. Unfortunately, we didn't really get to know each other on court today, but maybe next time when we will play each other.

Q. There have been a lot of upsets in this half of the draw. Obviously you're responsible for one of the biggest ones. Curious how much it feels like anyone can beat anyone in this section of the draw. Do you feel that?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Yeah. I think, look, it's the first Grand Slam of the year. It's obviously very tough for everyone, especially for the seeded players to kind of stand their ground and play what they should and all that stuff.

But obviously on such a tournament, anything can happen. So yeah, we'll see. Obviously there has been a lot of shocking results in men's or women's draws. So, I mean, the players that are there right now are amazing, so it will be really tough match next and hopefully the next ones, as well.

Q. There has been talk in the last year or two about combining the men's and women's tours in tennis. I was wondering, do you have any thoughts on that issue? Could it work at all?

LINDA NOSKOVA: Combining men's and women. Well, I mean, anyone who -- any woman that plays such a sport and at such a level can tell that the difference between men and women in this area is huge. I mean, their serve, their speed, their ability to do everything a little faster, a little stronger, because they are physically built like that is obvious. So the people that don't really do any sport or don't play tennis can talk about this, but they don't really, with all respect, they don't really know a lot about it.

I mean, it would be very interesting if it would be combined, but I don't think that will happen any time soon. We'll see.

Q. Linda, talking about your idolization of Serena, with the win you had the other day over Iga, does that supplant getting to play doubles against Serena and Venus at the US Open, which I think at one point you said was the greatest moment of your career? Does that remain the greatest moment of your career, or has it been replaced by what happened the other night?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I think that singles and doubles are two different sports, first of all. But at the same time I think that the US Open Serena and Venus doubles were more of, like, an experience, like a memory, and this was actually, like, the match that I did on my own, you know.

I think that the match with Iga is probably still second. So yeah, I don't think that anything will probably ever top the doubles.

Q. Looking ahead to facing Dayana, it's an instance where you have been kind of been able to play the underdog card for a while. This one rankings-wise you will be the favorite. Does that change anything for you, and how do you manage just the, I don't know, the pressure of playing one of the biggest matches in a match that you very easily could win?

LINDA NOSKOVA: I would not say that I will or I can easily win it. It's going to be a tough match, and I am counting on that.

At this point no matter who it is, it's going to be tough. So I will prepare for it as it would be any other player. You know, I'm in quarters of a Grand Slam, so I don't take anything for granted at this point.