“The Ukrainian held a press conference after losing Madison Keys at Aus Open 2026”, — write: sport.ua
– Alexander, it was an incredible experience for you – today you stepped onto the court of the Rod Laver Arena. Tell us how it felt and how much you liked it?
– For me, this is the best experience in my entire career. I have never played at this level before – I have not even had a match in the main draw of WTA 250 tournaments, and even more so I have never entered the big arenas. To have such an experience is something I will remember for the rest of my life.
– When you led 4:0 in the first set, what were you thinking at that moment?
– In fact, then I had even more clarity in my head. I think when the score became even, I started to think a lot more. But it’s normal when you don’t have such experience, when there are so many people around, when you hear someone shouting my name, someone shouting the name of an opponent. The atmosphere is, of course, amazing, but sometimes you start thinking too much at such moments.
When I first entered the match, I felt everything was perfect. And then, at some point, I think, not only the incredible game of my opponent played a role, but also the fact that I outplayed myself in places. I had an advantage, but I didn’t always use it correctly. If I had more experience, I don’t know if I would have been able to win, but I’m sure I could have managed those moments better.
– Even though you lost this match, you really have a very, very unique style of play. I’m wondering if it was easy for you to accept it and continue to play it that way, even though I’m sure a lot of people said to you, “Why do you play it that way?”
– Oh yes, actually – yes. A lot of people have told me that. From the very beginning of my professional career, I constantly heard that with this style of play I would not be in the top 1000, top 500, top 300, or top 100. Everyone insisted that it was impossible to progress with such tennis.
But my idea was always different: yes, to do my “strange” things on the court, but at the same time to become the strongest player in this style. To be the best version of yourself in this kind of tennis. And today I saw that even for one of the best tennis players in the world, this style can be really very uncomfortable. So yes – I will continue to work and become even better in this style of play. It is possible.
– Even in spite of the defeat, it was clear that you were really happy, that you enjoyed this experience, you interacted with the stands, showed emotions. I’m wondering: a lot of players in your situation – when you’re an unseeded tennis player – might feel frustrated. Where do you get this sense of pride and joy?
– Because, in my opinion, sport is not always about winning or losing. It seems wrong to me that in sports we put too much pressure on athletes, judging them solely on the result. When you play good tennis, when your opponent plays at a high level, when you see respect from both sides on the court, and the stands support both players, you have to be able to enjoy it.
I can’t be disappointed because for me sport is not just a score on the scoreboard. Moreover, it is this approach that motivates me. Because if I thought only about the result – and about nothing else – I, most likely, simply would not be at this level. For me, this whole journey, the whole experience is much more important than the final score.
– I also wanted to ask you about the face tattoo. Is this a real tattoo? Is it paint? And does it matter?
– No, these are temporary tattoos. I remove them after the match with a cleansing oil. They don’t have any special meaning – it’s just an idea for fun.
At the US Open, I was shopping and saw these face stickers, fake tattoos. Then she started experimenting with them: first there were stars, then hearts, now – flowers. So it’s just part of my style. And maybe you noticed that they were combined with the image and with the court: blue dress, blue flowers, blue court (laughs).
– Congratulations on your speech today. At the end of the first set, with the score 6:4 in the tiebreak, Madison played four incredible winners in a row. Do you think there was a moment in the episode where you could have pushed her harder, or did she just play flawlessly?
– Yes, I have some thoughts on this matter. Maybe on the first set ball I should have entered the rally more actively from the first serve, because I think I took too high a risk then. Maybe I’ll have a better solution next time. But on the other hand, when you’re playing against the Madison Keys, sometimes you just have to take risks. I think everyone saw how powerful and stable reception she has. So now, of course, I’m trying to analyze – whether it could have been played differently or not – but at the same time you have to admit that a lot depended on her. She is an amazing tennis player.
– Aleksandra, do I understand correctly that you used to represent Croatia?
Yes, I represented Croatia because I lived there for many years. When we moved there, I came as a political refugee, or rather my parents were political refugees. And in junior tournaments there is such a system: if you do not compete in tournaments within the country, you do not have a national rating, and without it it is impossible to get to international competitions. This is how this system is arranged. Getting into the tournaments happens through the national ranking, and that’s why such a decision was made then.
But I never identified myself as Croatian. Yes, I love Croatia, but it is fundamentally important for me to play for my country.
– I wanted to ask about your T-shirt – why did you decide to wear it? And what does it mean to you that your father is currently serving in Ukraine? How is it – go through such a period when your father is at the front?
– Yes, my father is a military man. And for me it’s… you know, I’m here alone now, and I used to travel a lot with him. My father has been my biggest supporter since childhood, in everything. And I am insanely proud of him. Moreover, it gives me even more motivation. After he went to the army, I rose in the ranking by more than 200 positions, because I know: it was his dream to see me on this court.
I can’t fully describe these feelings, but when you find yourself in a situation like this, you start to prioritize life very clearly. And I will do everything to make him proud of me even more. When he texted me and said it was incredible… he just texted me and in that moment I knew I had made his dream come true. In such a situation, what could be a greater motivation? I can’t even imagine anything stronger.
– Your T-shirt and the importance of getting that message across, using your platform.
– Yes, I have a message. And it is very specific – we need your help. I want to talk about how people can help Ukrainians, but if you want to ask me questions about this topic, we will have to do that already outside the official press conference of the tournament. This is a very important point.
I really know and can tell you how people can help protect our civilians, our children. In particular, to protect me personally, because I train in Ukraine. I prepared for this tournament right there. During the preparation, I heard explosions. There were several mass attacks. On the last night I spent in Ukraine before flying here, an explosion happened very close to my house – the Shahed drone hit the house across the street. My apartment literally shook from the blast wave.
Therefore, I really know how people can help protect Ukrainians – in particular, from these drones. But we need to talk about it outside the tournament.
– You just talked about an important message from Ukraine. Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in February. Do you think it is also important for Olympians to use this platform and get their message out to the press during the Olympics? And do you know any of the Ukrainian athletes who will represent Ukraine at the Winter Games?
– To be honest, I don’t watch sports that much. I don’t even watch tennis that often. So, yeah, I definitely don’t know many Winter Olympians.
But of course it is important. Every competition is important. Every opportunity to say something about Ukraine is important. Because, unfortunately, the war has been going on for a very long time, and I think over time people are starting to lose focus on it. But now we don’t have electricity in Ukraine. My apartment has no electricity, no water, no heating. This is the reality. And every opportunity to talk about it, I think, is extremely important.
And the Olympics are the Olympics. What else can be added here?
