Q: It was your 400 career win at all levels today. It’s been quite the tennis journey you’ve been on…
A: It’s quite amazing, I had no idea. My sister texted me after the match and it’s a cool milestone to get to for sure.
Q: In 1998, you had your first wins in Australia, in qualifying in Sydney and then again at the Australian Open. Do you have many memories from that first trip Down Under?
A: Yes, absolutely. It’s one of my favourite places to play. Sydney used to be played in a different club and it was beautiful, had a bunch of grass courts … just a beautiful place. I always remember good food, summer, heat … beautiful memories. I was a young girl and I loved Australia, always.
Q: Knowing what you know now, with all the experience you’ve had, what would you go back and tell that 15-year-old self of yours?
A: Relax a little! It’s just a game! Relax and have a little more fun, would probably be the most important thing I would tell myself.
Q: You had this magical run last year in Australia. I imagine returning brings back so many happy memories?
A: It was an amazing summer in 2017. I will always remember it, it was incredible. I played so well and had such an amazing time. It was very emotional and a long time coming … something I was waiting for for a long time. It was really amazing. It feels nice to come back to Australia. People welcomed me and supported me so much last year, it was incredible.
Q: Your run last year, you gave so many great interviews and played such great tennis, but what was a standout moment from it?
A: Probably the moment that I won my quarter-final match. Those 1-2 minutes were pure ecstasy, it was amazing. I did a lot of crying, a lot of weird interviews, a lot of emotional interviews which were more shy than I appear but they were really honest and true moments how I felt at the time. When I remember them, I still get goosebumps.