Aryna Sabalenka's 'good girl' personality, Rafael Nadal retirement & more: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro opens up in Exclusive from Australian Open

Defeating Aryna Sabalenka on the hardcourts of the 2025 Australian Open is nearly impossible in the current scenario. However, Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro gave it her all in her second-round meeting against the Belarusian at the Rod Laver Arena earlier this month. She lost 6-3, 7-5.

The final scoreline doesn't always paint the right picture and such was the case with Bouzas Maneiro's match-up with Sabalenka. She broke the top seed twice in the opening set but lost her serve thrice. In the second set, the 22-year-old found herself leading 5-2 with a break before the Belarusian raised her level to claim a win.

Bouzas Maneiro also paired up with fellow Spaniard Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers and contended for the women's doubles title at Melbourne Park but lost to the duo of Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs in the first round.

Following the two disappointing outcomes, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro joined Sportskeeda for an exclusive chat at the Australian Open 2025 and reflected on her campaign, among other notable things.

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Jessica Bouzas Maneiro Exclusive

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Getty)

Sportskeeda: Tough results in both singles and doubles, how do you sum this Australian Open?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yeah, it was my first time playing main draw here in Australia and of course, center court against Aryna [Sabalenka], No. 1 of the world. So, it was an amazing experience, for my tennis, for my career in Grand Slams, happy for that. I’m not going to forget this moment.

Sportskeeda: You were able to trouble Aryna Sabalenka, that must have given you some confidence.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yes. I’m happy for that. The only thing that I’m not so happy is because I had 5-2 in the second one, of course, she’s the best tennis player in the world at the moment. So, if you don’t take that opportunities, she will do it. Maybe I didn’t put the tension there when I had to and that’s the thing I can say I’m not happy with that but I’m happy with my performance overall.

Sportskeeda: We all know how sweet Sabalenka is as a person but it can sometimes be a little intimidating playing against her on the court. How do you manage the switch?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yeah I mean, even on the court she looks like a good girl with a lot of respect for other players and me too. So, it was good for that. And I like how she’s on the court and it’s good because when I play with girls like this, I feel better. And then in the locker, we’re not in the same place, so I cannot see her before the match but I mean I saw her a lot in this tournament. I think she’s a nice girl out of the court but on the court, she has respect for us. So, it’s good.

Sportskeeda: Do you have a favorite from all the four Grand Slams?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yeah, I have some favorite ones. Now, I don’t know how to say it, but at the beginning, it was Roland Garros but now Wimbledon for me is so special.

Sportskeeda: You made your main draw debut at Wimbledon two years ago...

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yeah, that’s special for me for me this thing. Last year, against [Marketa] Vondrousova in first round [win 6-4, 6-2] so I have special moments there but I like all of them. And for this year, I’ll try to do my best. I think, I have to improve a lot of things. I want to be better in all the things, physical, mentally.

Sportskeeda: Obviously, these are exciting times for Spanish tennis... you have Carlos Alcaraz doing amazing things, Paula Badosa, and you. How special is that for you?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yeah, we see each other and with Paula, I’m talking with the coaches, team and her and all of the Spanish girls. We follow our careers, matches. With Carlos too, the team always saying to me like, ‘Good job! or Congrats! Or Bad Luck!’ That means that they’re looking at our matches, so yeah, we support each other. Of course, this is an individual sport, it’s not like a team one but I feel like we support the Spanish tennis.

Sportskeeda: Was it tough to see Rafael Nadal go last year?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Yeah, I think for me, one of the special moments with him was the Mutua Madrid Open when he lost there [to Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-4 in the Round of 16], that moment was like, I don’t know, I felt so sad. Of course, when you see the videos, it’s amazing, he’s one of the best of the world and he means a lot for us, all the tennis players but for the Spanish. For my personality, how he was on the court so yeah, he means a lot.

Sportskeeda: Lastly, what are your goals for 2025?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: It’s difficult to say because last year, I was almost 200 and then I got close to Top 50 so yeah, it’s hard to say. But with these matches, I know that I have the potential to be there and I will try my best, work hard, keep going every day, and be better every day.