BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 10, 2026

Talia Gibson

Press Conference

T. GIBSON/J. Paolini

7-5, 2-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Talia, congratulations. Into the quarterfinals. Talk about how you're feeling right now.

TALIA GIBSON: Yeah, gosh, still haven't processed it all. I think just super proud what I have been able to achieve over these last two weeks. Yeah, honestly, still pretty speechless that I made it this far.

No, yeah, extremely proud of all the work that I have been putting in.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Your first top-10 player. What did winning that match mean to you?

TALIA GIBSON: Oh, meant the world, I mean, there is not enough words to describe how I'm feeling, really. I mean, I think just going out in that match today, I felt, you know, extremely calm and felt like I was just able to go out there free-swinging and just really enjoy the experience and enjoy the moment playing a top-10 player, really.

Q. You win the first set, she comes blasting back. You looked calm and not too anxious. How did you pull that off?

TALIA GIBSON: I mean, I think just kind of what I just said. You know, for me, I didn't put any pressure on myself going out there today. Just allowed myself to swing freely and just fully commit to my game.

So I think, yeah, for sure, I knew, you know, it was going to be an extreme challenge playing her today. I knew that she's an amazing competitor, so when she did kind of step it up, that bit in the second, I knew all I could do is just give it my best.

Yeah, I think I played extremely well in that third set.

Q. You came into 2026 with two WTA main-draw wins. You have had four in six days. How do you process that?

TALIA GIBSON: I don't really know, to be honest. I think, yeah, once I'm finished here, I think, you know, it's going to be awesome to be able to reflect what I have achieved over these last two weeks.

Like I said, still processing, but, you know, just super proud of myself. I think every match I have just given myself more confidence in being able to go out there and, you know, have that extra belief that I can do this. And here we are.

Q. Well played all week. I wonder if you could tell me what you think you learned from the first nine matches against top-50 players where you weren't able to come up with victories to now where you're able to beat four in succession?

TALIA GIBSON: I would say that I think my game has continued to develop in a way that has allowed me to go out there, competing at the level that I have been. I have just been working really hard to keep improving that level and the consistency of that level.

So I think over these last two weeks, I have been super proud of how I have been able to implement that on the court. So I think, moving forward, you know, obviously keep working to try and make that level even better, but I think at the moment, I have just been able to be really confident in how I have been playing.

Q. Aussies care more deeply about sports than most people. What have you been hearing from home? What do you expect when you get back? When is the next time that you actually get to be home in Australia again?

TALIA GIBSON: Yeah, I have been getting so much support from back home. I think that Australians do such an amazing job of supporting each other. I have definitely been feeling so much love from back home, which has been a massive help for me.

You know, I think just allowed me to be even more confident, you know, that I have so many people behind me supporting me. But, you know, especially for my team, as well, Tennis Australia, so much support from my team, as well.

I think, yeah, I mean, I'm just really excited to be able to go home and see everyone and kind of enjoy this moment a little bit more with family and friends. The next time I plan on being home I think is after Miami. I'm looking forward to that.

Q. For the growing Filipino fan base, it's reminiscent of what Alex Eala did in Miami. You might meet her in the next round if Alex beats Noskova. What do you think about either player, Eala or Noskova?

TALIA GIBSON: Yeah, I haven't had too much time to think about that next match. But straight off, they're such both extremely amazing players, amazing competitors. So I think, you know, no matter who wins that match is going to be a really big challenge for me.

Obviously, yeah, they have a lot of support behind them, but I think it's just exciting to see when, you know, people have so much support from their country. So I think that's really awesome.

I'm just excited to be getting another match here, so I look forward to, you know, whoever it is that I get to play.

Q. How would you describe your game style? Are there players or is there a player that you have kind of modeled the way you play after a little bit?

TALIA GIBSON: I mean, I think I have a pretty aggressive game style. I wouldn't say there is anyone in particular that I have really modeled my game around. I think from a young age, I have just always, you know, loved to play that way, and so I think just really working on making that aggressive game, you know, extremely consistent.

But at the same time, you know, I still am trying to add some dimensions to my game, you know, a bit of transition and everything.

I mean, if I was to name one player that probably I have been able to learn quite a bit from is Sabalenka. I think she has an extremely, one of the most aggressive games, and a very powerful game. I think over the last couple of years, been able to see her implement a little bit more of that variety in her game, as well, to complement her already extremely aggressive baseline game.

I think, yeah, being able to see that and see how much it has, yeah, complemented her game. I think, yeah, just trying to add that a little bit more.

Q. Were you surprised by the result? You said it feels like a fairytale, but are you surprised by the level you're playing? 44 winners today against a top-10 player.

TALIA GIBSON: Yes and no. I think I know that with my aggressive game, often I am able to create a lot of opportunities for myself in points, but that being said, I think I have surprised myself a little bit with, you know, how well I have been able to play for quite a few matches in a row. And being able to beat such high-quality players, for sure, wasn't expecting to have done that at all. I think a little bit of both.