When the Grand Slam competition in Melbourne started 10 days ago, it was known that Magda Linette was in very good shape. However, if it were necessary to insert the name of a Polish tennis player who will reach the semi-finals, the vast majority would probably bet on Iga ¦wiątek. Meanwhile, the leader of the world ranking was eliminated in the 1/8 finals, and the 45th rocket of the world achieved a lifetime success, entering the top four. And as he says after saying goodbye to the tournament – he will try to make it not an isolated case.
Linette: The level of this match was really high
In 29 previous Grand Slam main draw attempts, Linette has never been able to make it past the third round. Now, in the Australian Open, she not only dealt with this barrier, but also followed the blow. She stopped only in the semi-finals, where she lost to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6:7, 2:6. The rival, seeded fifth, once again showed great strength in this tournament, although the first two games were recorded by a Polish woman.
– Such a lead, of course, does not guarantee victory in the set, but it would be nice to win. I’ll think it over again. But I didn’t feel like I was playing badly. Rather, I was accompanied by peace and the feeling that I had to keep trying. Aryna presented herself really well. The level of this match was really high. I am proud that I was able to keep him for so long in the tournament and today in such an important game. I feel like I belong here, still playing my tennis.
With this statement at the press conference, Linette gave the first signal that the defeat did not break her and she is immediately able to look at her performance from a broader perspective. When asked if she would change anything in her game against a speeding and powerful opponent, she replied that not much.
– It’s about single points. We’ve talked about this with the coach a bit. Like, “Maybe in this action I could have done it a bit differently.” And that means we’re on the right track. It’s somewhere you want to be as a tennis player. We’re glad it works. This is just the beginning – the 30-year-old’s declaration, which pleases the fans, is said.
Sabalenka made her fourth appearance in the Grand Slam semi-final on Thursday. For the Poznań player, it was a debut, but – as in the two previous matches – stage fright did not eat her.
– Despite everything, I felt the hunger for victory today, although this tournament has already taken me a long time. I am also happy that I can control my emotions so well and maintain this level for such a long time. It shows me that I can do it again,’ emphasizes Linette.
She presented a high level of game, ran all over the court and combined. But for a Belarusian who is in great shape and has a powerful strength, it was not enough. However, the Polish woman did not feel much frustration about it.
– Maybe in the second set. But that’s because of the service, which I feel didn’t help me as much as it could. What mattered here was not the percentage of its effectiveness, but the speed – she noted.
“It was the first time I was at such a stage in singles. I already know what it takes to be here”
She reacted quite calmly to her recent victories. She admitted to being surprised by it herself. She didn’t quite believe in the reality of what she had achieved in Melbourne. Now she said she didn’t know how she would process the last intense weeks in her mind.
“But it’s definitely a reward for all the hard work we’ve done.” For all the sacrifices, all the years on the tour, all those Grand Slam starts. This was my 30th attempt. It’s really appreciated, because I needed a lot of these tests – she recalled.
But such a view in the past does not weaken her current confidence. She admitted that together with the training staff, the life success achieved in the antipodes is a bit like a momentum. And a source of valuable experience.
– It was the first time I was at this stage in singles. I already know what it takes to get here. I am glad that I played a very good match. I was able to maintain this level. Mentally too. I felt comfortable and just as good as in other matches.
After the previous match, in which she defeated Karolina Pliskova, she came to the conference clearly tired. She later admitted that it was mainly due to the tension she felt. It was very important for her to revenge the Czech Republic for previous defeats in the Grand Slam competition. On Thursday, after the duel with Sabalenka – although the rate was higher, because it was the promotion to the final, fatigue seemed much less in the 30-year-old.
That’s because I wasn’t that stressed today. And I wasn’t in the sun. It was very noticeable before. Today, due to the game in the evening, it was not so tiring. But I still feel like my tongue gets stuck sometimes,” Linette said with a laugh.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
