AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2026

Luciano Darderi

Press Conference

L. DARDERI/K. Khachanov

7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: It was a tough match out there with some challenging conditions, but you must be happy to get the win.

LUCIANO DARDERI: Yeah, it's my first time here in the second week. Very excited to play the next round. Today was a really difficult match. Khachanov has a lot of experience on these type of surface. A lot of times playing third round. For me is the first time.

I think I managed really good the nervous on the important moments. That's was the key today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you comment at the same time last year you were struggling to find your form, comment on the turnaround to this point.

LUCIANO DARDERI: What do you mean?

Q. I mean, a comment on your progress over the year in general.

LUCIANO DARDERI: Yeah, I think the progress was more on hard courts. When you do the pre-season on hard courts, is different. This one is my second one completely in hard courts. I think one of the keys was that. More matches on hard court, taking the confidence, because the confidence so much important on these type of courts.

Yeah, today was really tough match. Khachanov was with a lot of experience. I think I stay focus all the match. It's just I lost my mind in the second set. But I come back really strong in the beginning of the third set. That was the key when I do the break at 3-2 in the third set.

Q. How would it feel to play Jannik?

LUCIANO DARDERI: Yeah, he's playing. Is going to feel really, really good. An amazing experience, good match. I will try to do my best if it's Sinner or if it's Spizzirri. I will try my best anyways.