There was a time in Dayana Yastremska's young career where she enjoyed her independence away from her family as she navigated life as a professional tennis player.

Yastremska's parents had travelled with her during the early stages of her time on the WTA Tour, however the Ukrainian reached a point where she wanted to branch out on her own.

"I had a period where I wanted to feel a bit older, more responsible and do things just by myself," Yastremska said.

But over time, and against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, the 23-year-old realised she wanted to have family members by her side.

After advancing to the Australian Open semifinals ranked 93 in the world – and becoming the first qualifier to do so in women's singles in 46 years – Yastremska paid tribute to her mother Marina, who is accompanying her daughter in Melbourne.

"From last year, my mother started again to travel with me for some tournaments," Yastremska said after her 6-3, 6-4 win over Linda Nosková in their quarterfinal.

"I think it's really nice because before I always wanted to be by myself, alone, and now we have a better relationship than before and we can spend a lot of time behind the court together.

"We can go walk and do many things. I think that it really helps when there is someone from the family with you."

Yastremska added: "I think in tennis, it's important to have family close to you. When the war started, I was travelling half the year just with my sister, and my parents were at home."

Yastremska has spoken during the Australian Open about the effect the ongoing war with Russia is having on her and other Ukrainian players.

As she left Rod Laver Arena following her defeat of Nosková, she wrote a message of support to the Ukrainian people on one of the TV cameras, which read: "I'm proud of our fighting people from Ukraine."

Speaking afterwards, Yastremska explained the significance of what she wrote.

"They really deserve a huge respect. I always try to write something for Ukraine, about Ukraine," she said.

"I think it's my mission here … I'm just trying to give the signal to Ukraine that I'm really proud of it."

When she arrived in Melbourne to play the Australian Open qualifying tournament earlier this month, Yastremska — who has been ranked as high as 21 — admits she did not set specific goals.

"I was just focusing on playing each match, on improving," she said.

"I was working on some things that is a little bit personal. It was more associating with my head and with the way I feel on court.

"I wasn't really putting the goal to go quarters, fourth round, semis or whatever. I was just trying to enjoy playing here."

Yastremska is the first Ukrainian to reach the women's semifinals at the Australian Open.

She will play either 12th seed Zheng Qinwen or Anna Kalinskaya in the last four.