Well, my run in Melbourne just ended which is a real shame. Honestly, it felt from the start like things was not quite clicking for me out there. I had a lead in the first set, you know? But holding onto it was the trouble.
It’s my forehand, mainly. Last year it was so good, my best shot maybe. Now the swing feels different, longer or something. I’m not trying for it to be that way. Me and my coach, we worked on some things but maybe not other things enough. So it just… drifts. And then the errors come, nineteen just on that side. That’s not going to win matches.
I was off for so long, and then coming back the preparation wasn’t perfect. It’s frustrating. Your body needs to cooperate to find your rhythm. I never felt truly comfortable in the match, even when ahead. Anastasia, she played solid. She hit the ball very hard and never let up.
Funny thing is, she’s playing with a broken finger. She said it helps her feel relaxed because there’s no pressure. Maybe I should try that sometime! She’s got a big match next against Sabalenka. I wish her luck with that.
There was that strange thing with her copying another player’s statement for citizenship. She didn’t see nothing wrong with it. I guess everyone’s different. For me, I just want to get my game right.
Last year my losses were only to the very best players. Now, losing earlier shows how much work there is still to do. I’ll play next in Cluj. We need to figure this forehand mystery out, for sure.
I heard about Arthur Fery doing well in his first slam. Qualifying and winning a match is huge. He should be proud, even with his loss today. His ranking will jump. It’s nice to see another Brit having a moment here.
For me, it’s back to work. The journey continues, as they say. Just gotta keep going.
You see so many players dealing with stuff, like that young Czech, Brenda Fruhvirtova. She won her first round match but was crying after because of the leg pain. Everyone is pushing through something, seems like.
Speaking of new faces, that sixteen year old from Russia, Mirra Andreeva? She won again. She doesn’t even look nervous. I remember being new. It’s a different kind of pressure, exciting but it’s heavy too. She makes it look not heavy at all.
The heat here this year, my goodness. Some days the air feels like soup. It changes the ball flight, makes everything slower and heavier. You have to be so fit. I think the conditions maybe helped Anastasia in our match, her ball was coming through so fast.
It’s funny what you think about after a loss. Not just the points, but silly things. The sound of the balls at practice, the smell of the sunscreen. Your mind drifts. You wonder if you packed enough socks for the next trip. Normal things.
Looking at the draw now, so many stories. Naomi Osaka is out already, which surprised everyone. And Djokovic, he’s just moving through like a machine. It’s a mix of sad goodbyes and people just starting. That’s tennis, always. You have to wait for your next chance to start.
