AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 17, 2025

Clara Tauson

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/C. Tauson

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Clara, a tough third-round opponent today. Can you share your thoughts on how the match played out?

CLARA TAUSON: I mean, she's a great player. I think she was better than me on the more important points. But I think maybe I was a bit better, yeah, just in the general rallying. But she was tough on the big points, and that's why she's No. 1 in the world.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Yeah, I guess just on that, what is it like facing her? What makes her so tough to beat?

CLARA TAUSON: As I said, she plays big on the bigger points. In the first set it's funny, I think we are two of the best servers in the world, and none of us could hold our serve. It's a bit funny. In the tiebreak, I played big. She played big.

I think it was very fine margins today. I just make one or two too many mistakes in the big moments, and she doesn't, so that's why I lose (smiling).

Q. Do you feel the aura that she has as the World No. 1? Does that make a difference when you play her?

CLARA TAUSON: I mean, I felt like I went in there not unimpressed. I tried to stay focused on my game. I think I played a good match. I think the biggest difference on us was her second serve was better than mine or she was returning better than me. I don't know. Today that was the biggest difference.

I mean, if you told me four months ago that I was going to be this close to taking a set and even beating World No. 1, I think I would have taken it.

But, of course, I'm disappointed right now.

Q. In a tough match like that, what keeps you motivated on the court?

CLARA TAUSON: This is one of the biggest courts in the world. I love playing here in Australia. When you play a world No. 1, you can't let go for even 10, 20 seconds. So I really tried to just give it my all.

I did that today, and I think if I would have been 5, 10 percent better in the ending of the first set and the ending of the second set, I could have at least taken a set today.

Q. Does the crowd come into it at all for you or not?

CLARA TAUSON: I really tried to stay focused on myself because I'm not used to the crowd walking around at all times, but I think I managed that well. I didn't feel interrupted by it at all.

But, of course, it was nice to see that many people and feel the support.

Q. Do you like that with people moving around?

CLARA TAUSON: No. I hate it, but... I mean, I think tennis needs to evolve so people want to come watch more. If that's one of the things that we have to do, I mean, of course, I'm going to adapt. But I like it to be very quiet and nobody moving (smiling).