AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 26, 2026

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/Wang Xinyu

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Amanda, congratulations. Through to the quarterfinals here for the first time. Talk us through initial reflections.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, super excited to be into the quarterfinals here for the first time. Very special. Yeah, I've just been enjoying it with each day that I've been here. Yeah, really looking forward to the quarterfinal.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How is this quarterfinal different from making all the other quarterfinals that you've made, and you're making a lot of them these days, Grand Slam quarterfinals?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I think the fact that I've been in the round of 16 three time, and making that step further is pretty special. And yeah, I love playing in Australia. So just being here an extra day, an extra match, is exciting.

Yeah, I've been honestly enjoying every second out there. I feel like I'm handling, like, the pressure and expectation that I'm trying to not really think about, but I think that just means a lot more to me that I've been able to really handle that well this week.

Q. If there anything that you've noticed from your matches that it feels like sort of a vindication of the work you've done in the pre-season that you wouldn't have been able to do a few months ago?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I wouldn't say anything is drastically different. I feel like I was really able to use my serve to my advantage today. Normally it's the opposite, that my game from the baseline kind of saves me and then my serve is kind of struggling sometimes. But today I feel like my serve was really helping me out, especially in key moments.

Yeah, I think my mentality has also improved a lot. Like, really tough conditions again today. It was really hot. Just being able to stay focused, stay positive, really give myself good body language was really helpful. Yeah, I've been working a lot on it.

Q. I wanted to ask you about your next match against Jess and you thoughts on that going in. Don't have the best record, but a lot has changed in your game since.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, we've always had some great matches. It's funny enough, I played her twice in the exhibitions in the pre-season. But yeah, I mean, she's such a great player. I really like her game. I'm sure it's going to be a tough battle again. We always, you know, really go for our shots when we play against each other. I feel like we always have really long rallies.

Yeah, she's a very stable player. Really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can bring my best game.

Q. Do you have a clear idea in your mind of why that matchup with Jess has been trickier for you in the past?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I mean, I know her game pretty well now. I would say it's just the fact that she gets a lot of balls back. Yeah, she can challenge any of the top players. She's obviously at the top for a reason.

But yeah, I mean, I feel like I always have a chance against anyone. It's not really -- in my head, I feel like every match is new and different. Yeah, I think the fact that I've never beaten her before is an extra challenge for me.

Q. I saw what you tweeted briefly yesterday and maybe deleted. There is this chatter and discourse that's been strange about you at this tournament. I'm wondering how you're handling it.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I feel like the Internet, it's tough. It comes with the job, which is something I've learned to get used to.

There are definitely days where it bothers me a little bit, and I tell myself it's okay to get upset or frustrated, because at the end of the day, I'm human.

But yeah, I mean, it can be pretty difficult. It's not worth so much of my energy and time. That's something that I've learned to get used to.

Yeah, I mean, like in my other press conference, the fact that I didn't want to answer a question that was obviously intended for just, like, a headline and clickbait, that was my right. It had nothing to do with my political views or anything like that. So the fact that people assume they know my stance on certain important topics is just wrong, and it's not factual.

But yeah, it's tough. I've learned to get used to it. Yeah, I felt like my tweet was just not worth it. Like, I just didn't want to give my energy.

Q. Did you feel like things you said in that last time got misinterpreted?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, because I didn't even hit the ballkid. You couldn't even see it in the clip. People are always saying something. Yeah, people just love talking about stuff that's not even about the tennis.

Q. Are there routines you have now when you get to this spot in terms of things you do, things you think, things you like to practice, ways that you like to chill out?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I stick to the same thing, same routines. I feel like it's pretty boring. You wouldn't change anything that's working, right? Yeah, it's been just kind of the same thing every single day.

I think I prioritize recovery even more and getting my sleep. I feel like my bedtime has been earlier and earlier every night. That's just the fact that you get more tired deeper into the tournament.

Yeah, it's nothing fun on the agenda. I wish we were going to, like, the movies or something. I do have to fix my nail. I'm thinking about when am I even going to have time to do that? That's on my priority list actually (smiling).

Q. You mentioned how well you served today and sometimes you think your serve can be a more difficult shot in your game. Was the serve a key focus for you during the off-season? If so, what is it that you're looking for in terms of trying to get more out of that?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I was trying to, like, find a service motion that's comfortable for me and I can get the most speed out of and the most rhythm.

I feel like my placement on the serve has always been pretty good, but I think my speed is where I've been lacking before. It's something I'm really working on.

I've been trying to make minor adjustments here and there, and I feel like today that really clicked for me, because in the last few rounds I've been trying to find my serve and going for it but missing. I think that now it's working to my advantage, at least.

I notice that I made a lot less double-faults. Yeah, I didn't give the opportunity for people to cheer on my double-faults, because that's been happening. I was like, Okay, maybe just try to put the serve in (smiling).

Q. Your game reminds in some segments to Iva's game. Is that a fact that you're coming from the same country? Have you had a chance to play with her?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: That we come from what?

Q. From United States, from American.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Did you say Iga?

Q. No, Iva.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I play like Iga (laughter)?

Yeah, Iva, she's been doing really, really well. She's an incredibly stable player. She's been really impressive. Yeah, it's been really fun to watch her.

I'd say she's very consistent. I mean, I think that's something that I'm like, Wow, that might be something I should be working on, how consistent she is. You can really see the focus in her eyes when she's playing.

But yeah, she's been very, very impressive. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to watching more of her matches.