AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 12, 2025

Leylah Fernandez

Press Conference

L. FERNANDEZ/Y. Starodubtseva

7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Leylah, congratulations on your match today. How do you see the match from your perspective?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: From my perspective I think it was a good match. Yuliia, she's an amazing player. She's a tough one. I know she's been playing super well at the end of last year, so I'm sure she came in with a lot of confidence.

I'm just happy that I stayed positive and tried to execute my game at least for the most part.

I know there are things that I want to get better. It's always good to get through the first round not playing your best, because then you get to improve as the matches go on.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What have you been trying to add to your game in order to get better?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: I think one is consistency, and then two would be being aggressive on court. I have said it in the past that I have always tried to take advantage or take possession of like the point, hitting the ball early and that. But I think today I was able to do that really well on returns.

Then, you know, when I noticed some high balls or when my opponent is on defense, I get to go to the net. So it's always good to be on the front foot there.

Q. What are your goals for this year, would you say? Are you a goal setter?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yes, I'm definitely a goal setter type of person or even just our family. We always set goals in the beginning of the year.

Well, I think for me is to end the year healthy. That's always important. Then afterwards as results, if we're talking about results, it would be to finish top 10 by the end of the year. Then, also, get to the second week consistently in Grand Slams and 1000 tournaments.

Q. So how do you add consistency?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Trust, confidence, self-belief. You know, I think a little bit of everything. Then, of course, there's always a sprinkle of luck here and there. But I think to add consistency, just to keep being disciplined and persevere some tough moments during matches.

But being disciplined day in and day out for training, for mental preparation, and then at the end of the day if I trust myself and have confidence in my game, I can execute it in matches.

Q. What kind of a grade would you give yourself for last year?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Last year? Oh, it's hard because I tried to put it behind me. You know, I just focus on this year. I was just telling this to Stephanie yesterday that I can't remember what happened last year. But if I remember correctly, maybe like a four or five. That's just me kind of being a little bit more kinder to myself because that's also what I'm working on (laughing).