SANTIAGO, Chile — Being very close to defeating the best tennis player of 2024 brought Robin Montgomery a mix of emotions. She caught the tennis world’s attention at the 2024 Madrid Open by pushing Aryna Sabalenka to the limit, eventually losing 6-4 in the third set: “I was pretty pissed! But it kind of opened my eyes to where my level is.”
“When you play against her, it sometimes feels like you’re already on defense even before the point starts,” the North American told CLAY in an interview during the LP Open in Colina, a WTA 125 event.
The 20-year-old also spoke about her relationship with Frances Tiafoe, whom she considers a brother (“he’s an absolute clown, but it’s always fun to spend time with him”), and with Coco Gauff, whom she’s known since they were 9 years old.
Interview with Robin Montgomery
— Can you describe your game style?
— I’d definitely say I’m a power player, that’s pretty much how I would describe myself, but at the same time has a lot of variety in my game as well, but definitely a powerhouse.
— What’s your favorite shot?
— My backhand.
— Who’s your biggest inspiration in tennis?
— I’ll have to go with Serena, growing up I always watched her. Once I realized how big of a deal it was to be lefty, I kind of started looking after (Petra) Kvitová.
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— Have you ever met Serena Williams?
— I have one picture with Serena! With Venus I’ve had more contact. I practiced one time with her. I think I was too shy to talk, but just seeing her practice it was really cool, and just the mannerism she goes through is nice to see at a young age.
— How much of an influence have the Williams sisters had on you?
— Really big influence. Granted, my compatriot Coco also grew up watching them, so I think all of us inspire each other. It just means a lot that we’re all doing the same thing and chasing what they were able to accomplish.
—Whats your relationship with Gauff?
—We are friends! When we see each other at tournaments we talk, we go out to dinner, that’s pretty much it, but I’d say we’re friends. You grew up together, both chasing similar goals since young. I’ve known her since I was 9, we had our first USTA camp together, so we’ve known each other for a long time.
— In Wimbledon 2019 Gauff beat Venus Williams in the first round and then she made it to the round of 16. She was only 15 years old. That must have been something for you.
— We didn’t really talk during that period, but when I see her accomplish great things I obviously feel very happy for her, and it brings me joy seeing her do so well, and also a little bit of like, ‘ok, now it’s my turn’ (laughs).
— So, you must be targeting getting close to her in terms of rankings and deep runs in big events.
— That’s the goal, it’d be definitely more fun, but obviously I’m not chasing after her or anything, I’m chasing after my own goals.
— What’s your biggest goal in your career?
— I don’t like talking about my goals with the media (laughs). I wanna be the best player I can be, and really test my limits.
— Do you think it’s bad luck if you talk about it publicly?
— No, for me I just don’t like the public knowing, I like to keep it pretty internal and around my close circle. I know others like to say what they want, but for me at the moment I would like to keep it.
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— What was the highlight of 2024 for you?
—The Madrid Open. When I made third round and then I was able to compete against (Aryna) Sabalenka. It was a very close match and it kind of opened my eyes a little bit of where my level is and what I can actually do.
— What did you tell yourself after that? You pushed the best player of the year to the limit. (Sabalenka won 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4)
—I was pretty pissed!! Knowing that I was that close and it was just a few shots here and there that cost me the match… didn’t feel great. But I just told myself to keep working now. Definitely I took it as a positive and just to keep doing what I’ve been doing and just pushing myself even more.
— What did you feel after losing that match?
— I was crying! I called my childhood coach and he was like ‘relax’ and I’m like ‘no, screw this’. But yeah, it was a stinger, but it does happen for a reason.
— That was a battle between powerhouses! Can you give me insights about what it’s like to play Sabalenka?
— It’s gruesome I would say. She hits the ball very big, very hard and you have to always be ready for anything. When you play against her it sometimes feels like you’re already on defense even before the point starts. It’s very tough, she’s a top player. The best nowadays. So yeah, just be ready to run side to side pretty much.
— Is she a good leader for women’s tennis?
— Yeah, absolutely. I think she shows her personality on and off the court and I think that’s great for women’s tennis.
— You won the singles and the doubles titles in the US Open junior 2021. How did that prepare you for the pro tour?
—Obviously it was a great accomplishment. But I just pretty much went back on to the court right after and kept training. It was just the start, especially since it was juniors. But it definitely gave me confidence to start my pro career.
— Now that you have reached the main draw of big tournaments and you have shared the locker room with top stars, what can you say about the vibes among the players?
— I wish I could but I stay pretty quiet in the locker room and I don’t really spend that much time in there. Overall we’re all pretty nice, I’d say. It’s tough because we obviously stick to our own routines and everyone’s just trying to get ready for the match or leave the site.
— Is everyone in their own bubble?
—At least I think I am. We all say hi, we all ask how are the travels and we talk about that. But it’s still a nice environment. We’re all pretty nice to each other.
— What’s your favourite surface?
— I don’t really have one. I think a lot of people have been asking me that question the past few days and I can’t really form a response so I don’t really care.
— So you are not like most of your compatriots that would choose hard courts without a doubt.
— I do have good results on clay. So I probably enjoy it and play better than most American players on clay. So yeah, I mean I think overall looking back on the season I’ve had pretty steady results on each surface. So I don’t really have a favourite.
— What’s your biggest passion outside tennis?
— I’m still trying to figure that out myself. Okay, I like watching Netflix. That sounds pretty lame. I would probably say right now my biggest passion is trying to find decor for my new apartment and really making it my place. It’s going to be in Miami.
— Your own place, your own rules.
— Yeah, I’m trying to add a little bit more artwork in it to really feel like a home and like how I am as a person. So we’ll see.
— You are pretty close with Frances Tiafoe.
—I consider him like an older brother to me. Probably got close when I was around 13. And yeah, talk to him on the phone here and there. When we go back to DC, we always have a good time.
— Is it fun to spend time with him?
—Yeah, it’s fun. I mean, he’s an absolute clown, but it’s always fun to spend time with him. It loosens me up a little bit because we’re like very polar opposites, I’d say, in how we go about things in our day to day. So he always tries to make me smile and laugh. Always fun being around him.
— Happy to see him having success?
— Yeah, I love seeing him on the top. And I hope 2025 brings greater things for him too.
If you enjoyed this interview with Robin Montgomery, don’t miss in this link to our site, many other interviews with the great tennis stars.
