AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2026

Yuan Yue

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/Yuan Yue

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Tough match today. Could you please let us know your thoughts how today went?

YUAN YUE: For me it's very high intensity battle today. And I'm so proud of what I did. And I felt it's much better than last time I play against her. I have some chance. But I think I really did my best.

Q. You mentioned how much improved today was compared to when you played her in China. Just kind of what was your strategy coming into the match and how did you, you know, play much better compared previously?

YUAN YUE: I remember last time when I go through the court I was a little bit nervous because I, for me, she's a superstar and it's not easy to play against her.

But this today, before the match, I prepare a lot of my mental. I trying to have a lot of confidence. I trying to imagine she just normal player and I need to do the same what against world no. 2 and like the player who's ranking around 100. So I should do the same.

Also today I'm very enjoy to play in center court, Rod Laver. It's a very good memory for me. And I very enjoy.

Q. That was going to be my next question about playing in Rod Laver Arena. What were your overall thoughts playing at the largest stadium here at the Park?

YUAN YUE: I feel like I'm super confidence. I really believe that I can beat her or I can play very good tennis also.

I think I did very good on my serve and forehand. I think also I give her some pressure today. But I think she's moving very well, and during long rallies, she did very well. I think I still maybe need to work on my physical part.

Q. And then just regards to the tie-break at the end of the first set, it was pretty neck and neck, it was 4-all and 6-5 at one point. What happened at the end, or did she have better luck essentially?

YUAN YUE: Yeah, I remember the set point, the tiebreak. It was second -- no. She did first serve and I returned to the middle. I think that return is not too bad and she hit winner immediately on her backhand.

So I don't think I did anything wrong or anything I need to regret. But, yeah, I think this is why she's top player and, yeah, she's high ranking for some reason for sure.

Q. In the second set you took the medical timeout I believe for your lower back.

YUAN YUE: Yeah.

Q. Are you feeling okay or is it some precautionary, you know?

YUAN YUE: I play three rounds of quallies. I mean, not easy to play against her. So many movements, so many rallies. And I need to push myself to move my feet on quickly and push myself to do everything active, a lot of things to give my best.

So yeah, it's a bit sore on my back. That's why I said I still need to work on my physically part.

Q. You mentioned going through the qualifying round, so you had three more matches than obviously she did but, just larger scale, what are your positive takeaways from the week here in Melbourne that you can bring in the rest of the season?

YUAN YUE: Well, I will say I have a lot of confidence from this tournament. First I pass three rounds of quallies. At least I improve to myself I can play a lot of consistence match, I can win some matches what I felt I should win that kind of matches.

Today I play against Iga, the best player in the world. I mean, for me the Grand Slam, I cannot have the more tough draw. So it's also given me I can imagine for the maybe next time cannot be tough than this time. So I think I'm ready for a lot of challenges.