Articulate Jamrichova showcases on-court fluency in Melbourne
If there was a ranking table for the most charming and articulate player anywhere on tour then Slovakia’s Renata Jamrichova, top seed in the girls tournament at the 2024 Australian Open Junior Championships, would be very close to the summit.
If her opening win over Italy’s Francesca Gandolfi, which ended with the long shadows of the sun streaming across Court No. 8, was little more than routine, then the after match chat was quite the antithesis.
Jamrichova laughs a lot, not as a giggly or nervy outlet, but as a matter of course. At just 16 years old she talks at a level, and not in her native language, way beyond her life experience.
“It was quick, I played good,” she said of her 6-0 6-2 romp in just 54 minutes. “The first match is always tough for the mental side, I am also the first seed so there is a bit of pressure.”
Did she know her equivalent, the boy’s No. 1 seed (Federico Cina) had lost earlier? And thus more pressure on her?
“Yes, I saw, I am actually good friends with him and his family," she added.
So Jamrichova, quarter-finalist here last year and a semi-finalist at Wimbledon and at the US Open in 2023. Isn’t it about time you got to a final?
Many players would bridle at such a direct question, but not Jamrichova who smiles and attacks it full on.
“I don’t know, I just want to enjoy every point I can play here and be happy on the court and when this is going to happen, I am going to reach the final maybe.” Disarming but not deliberate. Impressive.
She loves Melbourne she says and was desperate to return to a place where she won the junior girls doubles a year ago with Italy’s Federica Urgesi. That final was held on Margaret Court Arena and the step up to Rod Laver Arena is an ambition.
“From my family there’s no pressure, from my coach no pressure, from me also no pressure but I can hear the comments, I can hear the media,” she says and then can’t help cracking up.
“To be honest I would rather be non-seeded but it’s always good to be No. 1 somehow.”
It is her second trip to Australia but time outside tennis is limited.
“I play singles, doubles, practices, we don’t have that much time to do other stuff but I have been to St Kilda beach because we got here three or four days before (play began).”
Chilling out will have to stay with her piano playing, an area of some accomplishment.
“I played for four years when I was younger and then because of tennis and travelling I couldn’t continue, but I still play for my family," she said.
"When I play I have to focus on the notes and focus on my fingers so I can’t focus on anything else so for me it’s like a relaxation.”
Elsewhere, the girls' second seed, Japan’s Sara Saito, made light work of the Australian Giselle Isabella Guillen in what is her third Australian Open Junior Championships singles outing.
She is a big fan of Melbourne she said but the patriotic home crowd put her on edge in her 6-2 6-2 win, not that the neutral would ever have known.
“I was so nervous, the crowd was for her, I played an Aussie (Stefani Webb) last year and I lost,” she said.
"I try to take it one match at a time, I want to make the final.”
A full list of results from the 2024 Australian Open Junior Championships is available here.