"When you're not doing good, it's sh*t" - Australian Open 2025 qualifier Tamara Zidansek discusses overcoming form struggles, Sinner doping row & more
Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek is through to the 2025 Australian Open women's singles draw. She defeated France's Carole Monnet in a three-setter in the qualifying round on Thursday (Jan. 9), playing at Court 15 of Melbourne Park.
It was a hard toil for Zidansek as the match swung back and forth all through. In the opening set, the Slovenian got the better of Monnet by breaking thrice (broken back twice). The second set saw the Frenchwoman return the favor to draw level.
In the decider, Zidansek got off to a flier, racing to a 4-0 lead but her opponent started another fightback, recovering a break in the sixth game. No player held serve for the remaining games as Zidansek managed to secure the set and match 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in two hours and 45 minutes.
The outcome meant she reserved her spot in the main draw, having already beaten Lanlana Tararudee (6-0, 4-6, 6-4) and Raluca Georgiana Serban (6-2, 6-2) in the qualifiers. She will take on Russian Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open.
Following her hard-fought battle with Monnet, Zidansek stopped by Court 15 for an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda and talked about overcoming form struggles, Jannik Sinner's doping row and more.
Exclusive interview with Tamara Zidansek
Sportskeeda: Got a bit complicated there at the end. How did you manage that?
Tamara Zidansek: Yeah it was tough I mean, in my opinion, last round of qualies is one of the hardest matches to play in a Grand Slam. So, it’s really tough and emotional. I’m just really happy that I managed to come through at the end, fought for every point.
Sportskeeda: First round last year... you're in again! How does the Australian Open look like now?
Tamara Zidansek: A lot better than last year I have to say. Last year, I didn’t play so good here [lost 6-1, 6-0 to Nadia Podoroska]. So, hopefully now go in the main draw with three matches in my bank, I can get ready, perform at my best level, and hope to play good tennis and see what happens.
Sportskeeda: Any player you don't want in the first round? [Draw not announced then]
Tamara Zidansek: Probably one of the top seeds, I would not. No one likes that.
Sportskeeda: Mike [Digby]... he joined you last year. How's he doing as a coach?
Tamara Zidansek: He’s been with me for two and a half years now, I think, but now since last year, as a head coach. We’re doing really great. I really enjoy working with him. He’s very detailed and specific, knows what to bring on the court and what I like… and it’s important that you build a really good relationship where, not depend [on them] but they have your back. So he has managed to bring a really good team around me.
Sportskeeda: You had a brilliant run at Roland Garros in 2021 [semifinals] and then a bit of a cold period after that. So, how do you manage expectations?
Tamara Zidansek: I guess, no one deals with that really good like when you’re not doing good, it’s sh*t you know. But I just try to separate personal life from tennis life because that can take a big hit on your self but I try to separate that and just do my best every day. I’ve been struggling with lots of niggles, injuries throughout this year so it hasn’t been fun. Somehow, I managed to play through it. And I can say now I’m feeling good and having everything under control so, hopefully, it can happen again.
Sportskeeda: Lastly, given this whole doping situation in tennis. Do you think the process needs to be more transparent? Would it have been different if it wasn't about top players?
Tamara Zidansek: Messed up, I mean, it is what it is. Every player is responsible for themselves but if we are talking about the small doses… Jannik Sinner had something like… it got out that it wasn’t affecting his performance, you know, why should that then matter, you know, but it is what it is. Rules are rules and they know what they’re doing better than us.