ROLAND GARROS

May 30, 2024

Clara Tauson

Press Conference

C. TAUSON/J. Ostapenko

7-6, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Clara. Can you tell us about the match? What happened in that second set, and what do you tell yourself to win in the end, and also a few words about your next opponent, Sofia Kenin?

CLARA TAUSON: I think the second set I lost focus in the start of the set. She's too good. You can't lose any focus against her.

I think I managed pretty well. I made a comeback, but then again, I lost a bit of focus. Yeah, I'm just happy I won the match.

With Sonya, I don't know. I haven't played her yet, and I'm looking forward to playing her.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Is it a relief for you to make up the third round points from last year and kind of a fresh start moving forward?

CLARA TAUSON: I mean, I wasn't thinking about that too much. I'm playing the No. 9 seed here, so obviously, it's a match that I'm not supposed to win, but I always feel like I can beat these kind of players.

I mean, yeah, of course, it's nice to defend the points, but that's not my biggest concern. I'm just trying to play my best tennis.

Q. Can you tell me a little bit about your relationship with Lars and kind of the progress you've been able to make since the start of it, or are you a different player because of this relationship, would you say?

CLARA TAUSON: I don't think I'm a different player. I think he gives me freedom in my creative side. I think I can play a bit more of the way I want to, and that's what we're working with.

My body type and how I play tennis is what we're working with a lot. Yeah, I'm trying to just play my game, and I think he gives me the freedom to do that.

Q. I know you're still really young, but you've been on tour for quite a while, and you've had some great moments on tour. Do you feel that you are impatient sometimes, that you like to be back where you were and maybe a lot higher? You feel that you have the talent to do that and want to have it sooner?

CLARA TAUSON: Yeah, of course. There's no doubt about that. I want to be higher than I am right now in the rankings. With the way I'm playing right now, I think I can do that. I think I've had a really good clay season so far, and that's not my favorite surface. So I think I can get even better.

Yeah, it's just about consistency. I know I can beat these kind of players, but I have to beat them every week.

Q. Is that what you think the reason is that you're not there, or is it more about your ability to stay healthy or a little of both?

CLARA TAUSON: Of course, it's both. I think I've been quite healthy for quite some time, but yeah, of course, the body comes first. Yeah, I'm prioritizing my health, and the way I work every day is a lot about just my back and doing everything I can to make it better day by day.

Yeah, I think I have the skill and the talent to be even higher in the rankings, but you need to practice against these kind of players and play a lot of matches, and I don't get the chance too often. So I have to win matches to be able to play these kind of players.

Q. I know you're a big tennis fan, big stat head. We've talked about it in the past. Did you watch Sofia when she was in the final, and do you remember watching that match?

CLARA TAUSON: Yeah, I remember watching. I remember watching her play Iga. I was here that year as well. I remember telling my then coach I thought she was going to go far in the tournament because I think she plays great.

She's also struggled a bit with injuries and stuff like that, so I think we're kind of on the same page. Of course, she's been much better than me... won a slam and been in the final here. I think we can relate to each other at some points.

Q. Last thing, speaking of your love of watching tennis, did you happen to watch Iga versus Naomi yesterday, and if so, what did you think of that match?

CLARA TAUSON: Yeah, I watched it, of course. That was incredible. I feel sad for Naomi, but we all know Iga. She's never going to give up. She showed that once again, but yeah, that match was incredible.

I really think that they showed that women's tennis is great as well. Me personally, I love to watch women's tennis, almost more than men's. So it's just nice that people can see that and really appreciate it.