Physically, Elise Mertens was not disturbed by her recent ankle problems. “I had recovered well, the ankle was bandaged but it didn’t bother me.” With a physiotherapist in her suitcases since the Hobart tournament, where she lost in the final on Saturday, she did not suffer the volume of the matches.
As in 2024, Mertens begins the year with a defeat in the final in Tasmania and an exit in the 2nd round of the first Grand Slam of the season. “It’s a shame to lose at this stage. I would have liked to do a little more than repeat last season’s performances, even if I don’t lose any points. I will have to try to be seeded for the next Grand Slams (in the world top 32, editor’s note) and thus avoid a too difficult draw. This will be a big objective for 2025”, she concluded.
