MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 4, 2021

Denis Shapovalov

Press Conference

A. BUBLIK/D. Shapovalov

6-4, 5-7, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Sorry about the result today. Obviously not what you were hoping for. Can you talk about the challenge you face when you're kind of playing a guy who has a similar style as looking to make the points short and really go for big shots?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: I don't know. Every match is different, like every opponent is different. Tough to say, like -- I don't know. I don't think that fazed me. I think I just lost myself today.

I don't think he did anything. I was in control in the first set, and then, yeah, had nothing to do really with him. I mean, I don't know. I can't really answer that.

Q. What's the difference between one day to the next and one match to the next beyond the opponent? Are you on the court saying, Wait a second, my forehand was firing two days ago, how come it's not today? What's going through your mind when your level is different from one match to the next?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: I started really well. I started on the same level as the other day. So it's not so much of ever, like, my game not working. It's more mental.

Like throwing in five doubles in one game, I mean, it's not like I don't know how to serve, you know. It's completely mental and just the mistakes, missing overheads, like the whole court.

It's more mental than anything else. I'm doing everything to win these points and I'm playing well. Of course after that, yeah, your level definitely drops when you start missing like this, for sure. It's normal.

Yeah, I think in general my level is good. It's more of like a mental thing, to be honest.

Q. So you were up 3-1 and then you had that unfortunate game with three or four doubles. Do you think maybe that game changed the flow of the match, would you say?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, of course.

Q. Obviously the recent couple losses have been frustrating. You have played well in sections, really well. So what do you tell yourself after a couple of tough losses to kind of stay positive and try to figure out ways to change your approach so that you can have a different result?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Right now, I don't know. I need a beer right now. I just need to just get over this right now (smiling).

I don't know. I'm not feeling too positive right now. Yeah. I'll let you know when I'm in Rome (smiling).