AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 13, 2025

Harriet Dart

Press Conference

H. DART/J. Fett

7-5, 2-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It's been quite a day. Tell us how you feel.

HARRIET DART: A little bit tired, for sure. Yesterday was a really long day. Here all day, never really know what's going to happen with being the first Lucky Loser. Today got here pretty early, practiced, was fortunate enough to be able to play today.

You know, when you get a chance, you really want to take it, and I was just really happy to get over the line today.

Q. How much notice, and what time did you find out?

HARRIET DART: The first match was already on, so not that long, but because it was a men's match gives you a little bit more time.

But yeah, full cramping out there but managed to somehow, yeah, get over the line. It will be good to get a rest day tomorrow.

Q. Where were you and what were you doing? How do you even find out? Do you get a text on your phone? Do they make an announcement? How does it work?

HARRIET DART: Usually the supervisor, the supervisor here, Donna Kelso, she rang me, saying there has been a withdrawal. And that's it, pretty much. You're going to be playing this player and on this court.

Didn't have that long to prepare per se. Definitely, like, you know, you know how people play here, but you haven't gone through a full match breakdown, for sure (smiling).

Yeah, I mean, I thought it was a really good match. Was pretty hot out there, and yeah, I took my chances when I had them. I was just, yeah, really pleased to be able to fight through that.

Q. Where were you?

HARRIET DART: I was in the locker room. I was just chilling. I had already practiced, so I knew there was potentially one. You see how a couple people are, and you kind of have the eye on certain things. Until someone actually withdraws, it's pretty difficult to be in the zone (smiling).

Q. You got your calf strapped, and at the end looked like you were holding your thigh? Was it cramping or something else?

HARRIET DART: I thought I was cramping, but the calf, I'm not sure what I have done to it, but something. Yeah, I was just cramping, I think, just fatigue and combination of things. You know, yesterday I was here from 9:30 in the morning till half 9:00 at night. It was a long day. It's tiring. You don't really do that much, but somehow you're tired.

But, you know, I got to watch a few matches, as well. It was good to go and support some of my friends.

Q. The third set, when she served for it twice, the way you stepped up, must have been...

HARRIET DART: You know, it's funny, we were really even through the third set, but I felt I was dictating the points and on top of the points. She's so athletic, making it really hard for me when I got broken two times. I didn't even think I played that badly. She came up with some amazing shots.

Yeah, I definitely had some chances on her serve. She gave me a couple second serves to look at. Yeah, I just took my chances when I could.

Q. How hard is it to play a match when there are so many service breaks?

HARRIET DART: I mean, it happens on men's and women's tour more and more, I think. People are returning better and better. Also just with the wind today it was very challenging at one end. Yeah, I mean, you just have to be ready for the next game.

Q. Have you played Donna Vekic before?

HARRIET DART: I have. I played her 2022 Nottingham, and I won. But that's, God, three years ago now. I guess we're in 2025. It's a bit shocking, isn't it? Yeah, I watched my doubles partner the other day, yesterday, play her, so I watched the whole match. That's quite funny.

Yeah, I mean, she's a great player, had an amazing year last year. She's a ball striker, and I look forward to it.

Q. The whole Lucky Loser thing, you mentioned how much you want to take advantage of this. Does it feel like this is a bonus chance for you?

HARRIET DART: Yeah, for sure. I think whether I'm a Lucky Loser or play one, you know they're dangerous, because you were kind of dead already, you get a bit of a chance and try and use it to your advantage.

All these players play great. No one's going to give any matches to you. You've got to work very hard to get through the line, and that was very much the case today.

Q. Tomorrow lots of recovery?

HARRIET DART: Lots of recovery.

Q. You're going to be okay, you think?

HARRIET DART: Yeah, I should be okay. I'm just happy we're not playing doubles tomorrow. That's another day.