AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2026

Katie Boulter

Press Conference

B. BENCIC/K. Boulter

6-0, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Sorry about the loss, but can you tell us how you felt about the match and your thoughts.

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, interesting match for me. Obviously a match that I don't go in with any pressure. I think it was a really tough first set. I felt like she has such a unique playing style that it took me a moment to kind of adjust and get used to how she hits the ball.

She takes so much time away, and it's unique in comparison to a lot of tennis players. It took me moment to understand that. I felt like I was building pressure a lot in the second.

I definitely had my chances. I don't think it was the cleanest match coming from my racquet. She ultimately was a class above me. I felt like I was in with a shot in the second and definitely could be playing out there in the third.

I think that is my takeaway from it. There are some definite positives. But again, yeah, just a lot to learn from.

Q. Especially given obviously the form that she started the season in, how kind of much confidence can you take away from that second set?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean she's an incredible player. I've known her actually probably one of the longest periods. Out of all the girls, I think I have known her the longest. I know how well she can play. I know what she's been through. I know what kind of player she is.

She belongs in the top 10. She's a, yeah, as I said, a very unique player that you don't get a chance to practice against too much. She kind of makes you almost have to rush and play shots that you don't normally play and kind of go for broke a little bit.

As I settled in to the second, I can take confidence into, you know, the fact that I can definitely improve myself. I was right there with her at times. So there is some confidence in that.

I think I just need to play a bunch of those matches and just kind of get used to those tight moments again. And obviously it's the very start of year, so it's tough to play someone who is in-form and played a lot more matches than me and arguably one of the tougher draws for me on paper. But yeah also on matchup as well. I mean she's just a great player.

Q. Given you said the pressure was off, that she was the 10th seed, was it nice to have the opportunity to work out on the court from the first set to the second set the problem solving you managed?

KATIE BOULTER: Obviously I can't change the draw. Yes, it was nice to kind of get the opportunity to change something. Obviously in the first set I was struggling quite a bit with a few things. I did manage to change that. I'm glad I did. I will take a lot of confidence in that part of it. I'm trying to work out a top-10 player and find their weaknesses, and there really aren't many of them.

I take confidence in that. I think I raised my game a lot more in the second, and that's closer to the game style I've been playing recently and finding my identity again. Seeing where I win points against players like that is important as well because it reminds me how I can play and where I'm going to have to improve as well.

Yeah, I think it's really important to play matches like that.

Q. In what way did you feel you needed to find your identity again? In terms of the way you're playing, style you're playing?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, look, I mean, obviously the conditions here are a lot slower at night. That's something I am well aware of, so it meant that I had to commit to the ball a little bit more and take more risks, because ultimately I'm not going to hurt her much.

So I think I felt like my identity is to look for my forehand and go after it. You know, I started to find my serve again in the second set, which is not going to change overnight, but it's a work in progress.

I think that was comforting knowing that it was improving and the more I serve the more I get back to where I want to be, I feel like I can get closer to my identity, which is being aggressive, but also being patient at the same time, being patient and then waiting for the right ball.

So yeah, it just reminds me of those things, what I'm looking to do, the patterns I try and play and where I can hurt top 10 players.

Q. How are you going to weigh up the next few months in terms of scheduling because it's going to be tricky now with where your ranking is, getting that balance between maybe qualifying for some events or maybe in the second tier tournaments?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, I'm actually quite excited for it. You know, I think I'm eager to get out and play loads of matches. I think, for me, I'm not pressured, as I said earlier, about playing qualifying in any tournaments.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to playing back-to-back days, getting my body back to being used to playing five matches. It's really important.

Yeah, I think ultimately last year it was very bitty, so I never really found, like, I got that rhythm of just match play. You know, with the two-week tournaments as well you have such a long period of time between tournaments, so you kind of lose a rhythm.

So I'm actually very excited to go and play some tournaments, even lower ones. I think it's great for me to do, playing qualifying in some 250s. Yeah, I think it will be good. I'm looking forward to that.

Q. BJK Cup. Obviously, not the tie that you guys would have wanted. Nobody wants to make this trip.

KATIE BOULTER: Hey, I love Australia.

Q. I know but maybe not the beginning of April. What are you thoughts on that tie? I know it's a way away, but will you be here?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean that's fresh news, isn't it, fresh news from yesterday. Obviously, haven't even really had time to process Billie Jean King Cup. I haven't had any conversations. Yeah, I mean, obviously, it is a very long way, but I love playing for my country as well.

So I need to talk to my team, talk to Annie K and the other girls as well and, yeah, we'll see where we fair up.

Q. You mentioned Belinda takes time away from you. Obviously there are players who take time away from opponents with like how big they hit, the weight of shoe. With her it's more like court positioning and taking the ball earlier. How different does that feel compared to a big hitter just hitting big?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, no, it's very different. It is. I mean, I feel like in general I handle pace reasonably well. You know, obviously, some days better than others. I feel like I'm sharper. Sometimes I'm a step behind against some of the big hitters like Sabalenka, Osaka. I feel like I can compete there.

I think Belinda's just one of a kind. I can't really explain her. She's inside the court on almost every single shot that I hit. And I'm not really that used to it, because, you know, sometimes I'm trying to push people back and then use the short one to bring them in as well.

You know, she's still in the same place whatever I hit. So obviously for me, my eye line it's very important to kind of see where she's at and how she's moving as to what shots I'm going to hit next.

So naturally, it is a little bit off-putting. As I said, I have literally known her since I was 10 years old, maybe, maybe even younger. And I've practiced with her when I was super young as well, her and her dad, at many tournaments in France.

I should be a bit more used to it because I have played against it. But, yeah, I mean, she is extremely talented in what she does. I mean, she takes the ball like nobody else that I've played. She takes time away. And she also re-directs really well. So she absorbs my pace well.

Yeah, I got a lot of compliments about her. Yeah, she's a very good tennis player. You know, she's 10 in the world, but she can be a lot higher as well.

Q. What are you immediate plans? Will you hang around, enjoy Melbourne, watch Alex, or would you rather go back and look at the schedule?

KATIE BOULTER: No, I've actually got my schedule in place already.

So I think tomorrow morning we'll regroup as a team and have a chat. But as much as I would love to stay and support, I've got to look after myself and prioritize myself, as we always do.

Obviously if I can support him I will. But, again, tennis is my priority.