Clara Tauson Reflects on Upsets Over Top Tennis Stars

WUHAN, China — Clara Tauson, the rising Danish tennis star, spoke about her impressive victories over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek during the 2025 tennis season. In an exclusive interview with Tennis365 at the Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open, Tauson shared insights into her successes and future aspirations.

“I think it obviously gives you confidence that you can play with these players and beat them as well,” Tauson said, reflecting on her win against Sabalenka at the Dubai event, where she reached the final. She noted that past matches against top players showed her that she was getting closer to success. “I always believed I could beat the top players. I have had some matches where I was 6-4 in the third set with them, and this showed I was close.”n

Tauson acknowledged the rise in expectations that come with such victories, stating, “Beating players like that shows what you can do, and it also means it raises some expectations and maybe I need to be better at managing that.” As she looks forward to the 2026 season, her goal is to maintain her consistent performance and continue improving her game.

Currently ranked No. 12 in the WTA rankings, Tauson is close to breaking into the top 10. “It’s all about beating the players in the lower ranks consistently as well as beating the top players,” she explained. “Every player in the top 100 can do anything. It’s all about the kind of day you are having.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Tauson is determined. “This time last year, I was like No. 80 in the world. It has been an amazing year for me,” she said. As Danish tennis experiences a resurgence, fueled by her and Holger Rune’s achievements, Tauson feels hopeful for the future of the sport in her country. “Hopefully, it can help other Danish players in the future,” she remarked.

Next up, Tauson, the No. 10 seed at this tournament, is set to play against Olga Danilovic in her opening match.