AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 16, 2025

Destanee Aiava

Press Conference

D. COLLINS/D. Aiava

7-6, 4-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Destanee, very gallant effort on court today. What are your thoughts? What would you like to share?

DESTANEE AIAVA: I thought it was a really good match. Better than I expected. Yeah, all credit to Danny. I think she played really well when it mattered.

Yeah, it was just fun to play in front of the big crowd again.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What sort of belief are you going to take out of going toe to toe with effectively a top-10 player, getting a real red hot chance in that third set?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yeah, I think I showed myself this week that I do belong here. I've known it for quite a while. But actually putting it into action and doing it is completely different. I think I did that this week.

Hopefully the rest of the year goes similar. If not, that's okay, too. At least I've had a really good week here. That's all that matters.

Q. What were the main things about tonight's match that gave you that feeling you belong?

DESTANEE AIAVA: I don't know. I think my level throughout the entire week was really good. Being able to back it up match after match... Even though I lost today, it was there. I had my chances.

But yeah, she's just got more experience. It's just another learning curve today. Yeah, I don't look at it as a negative at all, my match.

Q. How did you see the medical timeout, nine-minute break? How do you think that went for you?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yeah, I have had it happen to me a couple times. It's a part of the game. Yeah, I don't really have much else to say other than maybe I could have handled it a bit better and come out firing quicker.

But yeah, it did give her a little bit of time to settle down in that set. I'm just glad I could close it out how I did. Hopefully I didn't let the break get too much in my head.

Q. What did you make of the crowd? Did you feed off of it?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yeah, it was really loud again tonight. I feel like it was kind of equal. I heard a lot of her supporters. For me, as well. I just tried to use it again to my advantage.

They were amazing. Even if I did hear them go for her, it was still a really great atmosphere.

Q. What's the plan going forward? How much has everything changed because of the money? Does it change your travel plans or more about who can come with you?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yeah, I'll have to reassess my schedule. I still have doubles and mixed as well. I'll have to take a couple weeks -- not weeks. That's insane (laughter). Just a couple days off, see what tournaments I've entered. Just see what's best with where my ranking is at at the moment.

Yeah, I can definitely bring someone with me now which makes it a little bit easier on the road. I'm excited to see what's next for me.

Q. Was it a Maria Sharapova callback tonight on the dress?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yes, it was. I was lucky. One of the girls I used to play tennis with reached out. I actually ran out of outfits. She saved my life tonight.

Yeah, yellow is one of my favorite colors. Yeah, I was really happy to end my singles run in this outfit, I guess.

Q. We interviewed some of the Islander fans in the stadium. They were proud of you. How did you feel about coming into here being of Samoan heritage, seeing the Samoan flags out there?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yeah, it was really nice. I felt all the love on the court and also on social media. I've gotten so many messages, all that stuff, people supporting me, Samoan heritage.

It is really nice. I'm really happy that can be someone that can represent the culture in tennis.

Q. How did you feel about the crowd getting behind you?

DESTANEE AIAVA: Yeah, it was really fun. Kind of sounded like a Rugby League match (smiling). But it was very different. I think we could use a little bit more of that in tennis.