DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 22, 2025

Clara Tauson

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

M. ANDREEVA/C. Tauson

7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Tell us overall how you feel about how you played and what made the difference today.

CLARA TAUSON: I feel like I played not very good (smiling). But I know my body was really, really tired after the past couple days. I've never played on this high a level seven days in a row. It was really tough for me to even get out there. I tried to give it my all. But my tank was pretty empty, unfortunately.

Q. Was there anything specific you were dealing with physically? How important did you feel like that first set was to have a chance at winning?

CLARA TAUSON: I mean, I can't tell you where it doesn't hurt right now, so... I definitely need some days off.

I mean, even if I had won the first set, I'm not sure I would have played very good tennis in the second. I was pretty gassed every single point we played.

But I really tried to put on the best show I could. I knew it was going to be really, really tough today. I left everything out there yesterday. The little energy I had I left out there today. So I can't be too mad about it.

Q. She's obviously 17 and very promising. What did you feel about her game and how is it to play her?

CLARA TAUSON: Yeah, I mean, I don't think she's promising anymore. I think she's at the top of our game. I mean, yeah, she never goes away. She fights for every single point. She plays some annoying slices. When I think I've maybe won the point, she's there all the time.

I mean, I think with a little bit of a fresher body and mind, I could have done some more. But yeah, the first three games were probably the most energy I had in the whole match.

Yeah, she's obviously a great player and congrats to her.

Q. You're the tour leader in match wins, many categories this year. How do you look at the start of your year? Is that something you felt in the off-season you could make a big charge this year?

CLARA TAUSON: No. I mean, of course I know I put in the work, but you never know if the results are going to come or not.

I mean, I've always had the belief that it was going to come eventually. Yeah, I broke through when I was really young and had some tough years the past couple of years.

This start to the season has been amazing. I have to thank my coach and my fitness coach and everyone at home who has been helping me.

Yeah, I think I put in even more work. I feel like I put more work every single year. This year was different. I feel a lot better on court. I feel a lot more at peace with how I play in my game. That's really nice.

Q. You did break through very young. Talk about the toughest moments from the last two years. Does it feel like it was all worth it now?

CLARA TAUSON: Yeah, I mean, right now it's worth it, but you never know what's going to happen in tennis.

I think, yeah, I've had a tough three and a half years. I mean, I always knew that I had some kind of talent and form. I never really broke through in these kind of tournaments.

Yeah, as I said, playing six, seven days in a row on this level is not easy. I mean, I'm really happy with the five matches that I won, but still sad about this one.

Q. In particular, anything in your game that you want to focus on moving forward?

CLARA TAUSON: I don't know what I should focus on right now. I mean, I think I'm playing good tennis. Of course, when I get a bit hopefully more experience playing a lot of matches on this kind of level, I'll be able to also lift a trophy in the end.

As I said in my speech on court, only my coach and the physio knows what I've been going through this week. To even be here in the finals is amazing. I really, really loved everything I had this week.

Q. How do you deal with the pressure of the game and your career at such a young age? With your psychologist, how you deal with the anger you would feel while losing a match like this?

CLARA TAUSON: I mean, I don't have a psychologist. I just have myself.

But, I mean, can I really be upset about losing this match? I don't think so. I mean, I didn't have any energy. I have pain in my whole body. Even being close to winning the first set was, yeah, amazing.

I think hopefully we can play again and I will be a bit fresher and I can play some better tennis. I mean, she said she was also nervous. I mean, I think we both were. I think she had a little bit less tennis in her legs from this week, so...

I mean, of course I'm really sad about the match today, but I know that I'm going to be happy tomorrow.

Q. I'm sure you want to win every tournament you play. Having done so well at a big tournament, do you feel like you'll feel differently coming to Indian Wells and Miami?

CLARA TAUSON: I don't really know. I've never been in this position before. I mean, I've been seeded at Indian Wells once before, but I was on the last row. Now I'm coming in with confidence hopefully.

Yeah, we'll see. I don't know. It's far away.

Q. There's always a lot that happens behind the scenes that we don't see. Can you give us an idea of how many hours do you spend with the physio in a week like this?

CLARA TAUSON: Yeah, I mean, I wasn't even sure that I was going to be able to play the second match here. I've spent probably around two and a half, three hours in there every single day. I owe them everything 'cause they really put in the work with me.

Yeah, I was sick last week. That took a toll on my body. Yeah, they've been amazing and they've really done their best.

I mean, I don't think anyone could save me for today. Yeah, I have to give them a good present.