Press Conference Summary

Press Conference Summary: Irina's First Match and Future Endeavors

This press conference, following Irina's first match of the tournament, covers her performance, strategic adjustments, a notable collaboration, and her experiences at the Australian Open. The discussion involved several journalists asking questions about her game and personal ventures.

Match Performance and Strategic Adjustments

Irina expressed happiness about advancing to the next round, acknowledging a slow start where she struggled to find her rhythm. However, she noted that in the final two games of the first set, she managed to find her groove and improve her play. When questioned about her 22 net approaches, Irina stated she prefers to be unpredictable but is pleased she could execute her net-play strategy effectively during the match. She emphasized the difference between practicing and fearlessly implementing a strategy in a real match, expressing pride in showcasing this aspect of her game.

Regarding the initial struggle for rhythm, Irina attributed it to it being the first match of the tournament and playing an opponent she had never faced before and hadn't extensively studied. This unfamiliarity made it difficult to adapt to her opponent's shot patterns. She also highlighted her opponent's serve as being awkward for her, not being particularly heavy or fast, which made it challenging to find the optimal return position. Additionally, the balls were flying a lot, and her opponent served to good targets, contributing to the initial difficulty. Irina realized she needed to step in and apply more pressure, a strategy that ultimately proved successful.

Jewelry Collaboration with Material Good

Irina shared her excitement about her jewelry collaboration with Material Good. She described meeting the team in New York last year and loving their boutique and their creative, fun team, which she feels aligns well with her own team. She is particularly enthusiastic about the partnership because it allows her space to design and be creative, and the team understands her well. Irina confirmed that this is a long-term collaboration, with more pieces expected to be released throughout the year.

Continuous Game Development and Evolution

Reflecting on the constant addition to her game, particularly her net play, Irina stressed the importance of continually working on and developing her game. She believes that searching for new elements to improve her play is the key to consistency and always bringing something new to the court. She is proud of the extensive development her game has undergone over the years with her team.

First Australian Open Experience and Fan Connection

When asked about her first experience at the Australian Open, Irina recalled a match against Ash Barty on Rod Laver Arena. While not the best experience initially, she expressed pride in the connection she has built with the fans since then. She admitted that match was not her best but considered it a valuable learning opportunity, especially facing a top 30 player and assessing her own game.

Encountering Tennis Legends

Irina confirmed seeing Roger Federer and Rod Laver in the crowd during her match. She admitted to being a huge fan and had to actively tell herself not to look at them during play. She described it as an unbelievable and unprecedented experience to have such legends watching her match, humorously suggesting that it might have contributed to her increased net approaches, as she wanted to impress Roger. She jokingly added that she couldn't perform a tweener but hopes to next time.