AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2026

Jasmine Paolini

Press Conference

I. JOVIC/J. Paolini

6-2, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Jasmine, obviously very tough fight out there today. Can you just give us your thoughts on your performance and on the match?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, it was very tough. She was playing good, not many mistakes, moving the ball aggressive. I couldn't, like, move at my best, so it was tough today.

I tried to stay there every point, to manage to go, to stay there, to play deep, to go to the third set, but it wasn't enough. She played better than me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What were the physical issues you were having in the match? And also, did she do anything different than the last couple of times you played her?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think, of course, she improved, so credits to her as well. Me, honestly, I think I laid down on the sofa after the lunch, and that wasn't a good idea for my stomach.

I stepped on court, and I couldn't move at my best. But I was trying, you know, stay there, to stay there, because I knew that when the time is passing, I would stay better, but it wasn't enough to turn the match.

Q. Tough one today. I just wonder what you made of your opponent's potential. She's a very young player. Yeah, what do you think of her game and how far she can go maybe?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think, yeah, she's very good player I said before, I said after the first match we played in Indian Wells, I said in US Open. I think she's very young.

She's very tough opponent already, very mature on court. Not many mistakes. Playing good every shots, basically. So I think she has a really bright future ahead.

Q. Tomorrow you obviously are still in doubles here at the AO, and you are playing the Aussie team of Kim and Talia. The thoughts on playing them, especially with the factor of the heat, it's supposed to be extremely hot tomorrow, but also playing the Aussie double team.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, I don't know. I'm thinking now about the singles, but tomorrow, yeah, it's another day. Hopefully we can play a good doubles to try to change a bit this tournament, you know what I mean?

Yeah, I don't know, it's going to be tough with the people cheering for the Aussie girls, but we are there trying to make our doubles.

Q. Just talking about the larger picture of singles -- obviously, you know, you're still in doubles here, but you'll have some time to focus on singles and to prepare for the Middle East. What is your overall take-away from the first few matches?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think I didn't play bad this tournament. Today was tough, but there are some positive things, of course, and some things that I have to improve still.

The serve is going up and down. The first match was really good. Then today was really bad. So hopefully I'm going to find a little bit of consistency there.

It's too important to serve well, and I think today wasn't my day, the serve.