Welcome to Prague! How do you like it here? This is a very tennis-centric country.
"It's my first time here. I've already had a chance to look around a bit. I've been here a few days, and it's really beautiful. Today I can say this might be one of my favourite cities I've ever visited. And, you're right, all the Czech girls are really strong on the court."
You faced one of them in the first round today. How was it playing against Laura Samson?
"I had never met her on-court before, but I knew it would be tough. Especially in the second set, she played amazingly. She was just going full throttle. She's really strong. She made me adjust a few things, and I had to work really hard to win."
Did you choose the Prague Open for a reason? Or did someone recommend it to you?
"After Wimbledon, I wanted to get back on hard courts and stay in Europe a bit longer. I’d never been here before, and I love discovering new places. Everyone I asked told me Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. So I thought: 'Well, I have to go see it for myself'. And yes, they were right!"
A few weeks ago, you had the honour of playing against Serena Williams on her comeback. Looking back, what would you say about that match today?
"I think the match against Serena really helped me. Specifically, it definitely boosted my confidence. Every player probably goes through this at some point in their career, but I really had a tough start to the year and quite a long losing streak. And then this challenge came along… In the end, I beat her. And that match helped me believe I could start winning again."
And aside from the result? What emotions did you feel when you stepped onto Centre Court at Wimbledon against such an icon?
"It was such a surreal experience! What can I say? But I think it was right there that I proved to myself I could play at a high level again."
It's a bit different here in Prague. You started on a small court by the Vltava River, in the shadow of the huge arena. How big of a difference is that?
"Oh, I didn’t mind at all. At a lot of tournaments, you don’t find huge arenas. So it was actually nice not to have so much attention around one match. And at the same time, there were plenty of people in the stands, so the atmosphere was great. I really enjoyed it. But you’re right, the main arena here is really huge."
But let’s go back to your story. Were you close to tennis from a young age? It’s known your father was a top squash player.
"I guess so. Both my parents played racquet sports growing up. And my dad was a professional squash player, so I think I inherited a bit of talent from him, but honestly, I don’t know how I’d do in a squash box. I’ve actually never played it (laughs)."
You started with tennis at university, but that also limited you. When you reached the second round at the 2024 US Open, as a student on a scholarship, you couldn’t receive the $150,000 prize money. How did that end up? Did you ever get it?
"No, not at all. I never got that money."
So is that why you left your studies and started playing tennis professionally?
"You know, I always wanted to go to university, but actually I studied online the whole time. I never physically went to school. It might sound a bit silly, but I really wanted to experience going to class, being among people who want to learn, carrying books to the classroom. But then there came a point when I realised my tennis was at a level where I should focus on it professionally."
Do you regret that?
"No, I found another way. Thanks to the WTA, I’m still studying at university online. There’s a program for that. I chose criminal law, and it’s very interesting. I wanted to dive into something I’d enjoy and wouldn’t feel bored by."
You’re from Michigan, USA, originally. Kimberly Birell was born in Dusseldorf, Daria Kasatkina in Russia, and Ajla Tomljanovic is originally Croatian. Each of you is from a different part of the world - what’s it like representing Australia all together?
"Oh, absolutely! Our Australian team is super special. It’s like another family to me, really! It’s a close group of friends. We spend time together, go out for dinner. Every time we play, I enjoy it. I actually love the team atmosphere. I think it’s the best in the world (laughs).
"And even when we’re not playing Billie Jean King Cup matches, I stay in touch with the girls. We have a group chat on WhatsApp, and we always message each other after matches."
Today you’re playing at a venue connected to the Billie Jean King Cup. For Czechs, Stvanice, the home of the Prague Open, is an iconic place. 40 years ago, at the then-Federation Cup, emigrant Martina Navratilova appeared here for the first time in a long while since her defection to the USA. Have you heard her story?
"Honestly, I have to admit I haven’t heard about it. But maybe it’s time to learn something new."
No Australian woman has won the tournament in Prague yet, but Tomljanovic and Samantha Stosur both finished as runners-up in recent years.
"Today I walked past the wall where Czech successes are documented, and it was nice to see a few Australians among the Czech names. So we’ll see what happens this week!"