AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 10, 2025

Caroline Garcia

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Caro, if you just want to give your thoughts on being back here in Melbourne.

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yes, very excited to come back. It's been couple of years now, and always a nice time in Australia and great tournament, so excited.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Your rematch in the first round against Naomi, what were your thoughts when you saw that? Deja vu?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yes, of course. No, I mean, I think the day before I thought about the draw and I was looking at qualifier result, like who is good play in quallies? I was, like, anyway, doesn't matter. The draw is coming. I'm going to be a bit stressed but probably in a good way also.

I know that not being seeded I could have played top player. So, yeah. I mean, I was just surprised. Like partner check the draw and I saw a smile on his face. Like, no, he cannot tell me, because we were joking about for many times and also now with Naomi couple of months ago. So, yeah, okay, I'm playing Naomi.

Q. You have come to know her a bit better since you've last played. She was on your podcast?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yes.

Q. What do you remember about those matches? And you're kind of getting to know her more since you played here at Melbourne a year ago?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, we played three times last year. So, I mean, obviously we are both aggressive players and trying to get the control of the rally very quickly with big serves.

Most of the time it's the one who goes a bit earlier that is able to win the point. Yes, of course it's crazy, because last year, even when I was not playing her, I was crushing like 20 times a day, so a funny moment.

But yeah, she's a great champion, great person. Went through some ups and downs, and it's very nice to see her coming back for herself but also for the tennis. Yeah, it's going to be a great match to play, for sure.

Q. Do you feel like you got to know her better as a person, doing the podcast with her?

CAROLINE GARCIA: Yeah, I think she try to open more, and also of course for us the experience of the podcast. Her being vulnerable and opening up on some tough moment was of course nice and she gave us, like, confidence by coming, and trust. So it was a good moment.

Yeah, it's nice (smiling).