THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2021

Sebastian Korda

Press Conference

K. KHACHANOV/S. Korda

3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 10-8

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What did it feel like playing that match? That final set in particular was pretty awesome. I think somebody counted 13 service breaks in that final set.

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I'm still super happy with how the whole tournament and today was. I mean, I fought my hardest. I don't know what was happening out there. We just couldn't hold serve (smiling).

But, yeah, we were playing some clutch tennis when we needed it, both of us. Yeah, hats off to him. He played a great match.

Q. What about yourself on your 21st birthday to play a match like that on a reasonably-sized show court? How are you feeling about that?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: It was awesome. Ever since I decided to play tennis I always dreamed about having my birthday here at Wimbledon. I knew if I would have my birthday here I'd have a really good week. Had my first birthday here. Hopefully many more. Yeah, it was an awesome day today.

Q. Just wondering, you already mentioned the breaks of serve in the fifth set already, but is there any way of explaining sort of what was happening there? Both players couldn't hold serve. Was it nerves? Fatigue? What was happening? Also, did you have a problem with your left leg earlier in the match?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, kind of like my butt area. Played a lot of tennis. I'm not used to the grass. I mean, it's my first real tournament on the grass. My body is kind of adjusting to it. It's a pretty painful surface to play on.

But, yeah, I don't know. We just kept going back and forth. We just couldn't hold serve. Yeah, I mean, but we were returning both really well. I think especially with the balls, they kind of slowed down a little bit. They started to fluff up and the rallies got a little longer, so it was easier to return in the fifth set.

Q. The breaks in the fifth set, like mentally, what does that do to you? We don't see a lot of men's matches, especially not between guys who are 6'5" and taller have 13 breaks in a set. How much does that sort of mess with your mind as this keeps going in that sort of weird cycle?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I don't know. I have never been a part of anything like that. That was definitely the first and hopefully the last.

But, yeah, we were just returning well. I mean, we were on top of every serve basically. Yeah. Just good returning, I guess.

Q. Overall, how do you feel about your tournament here? Positives on your birthday? Are you primarily disappointed? What are your emotions today?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: I'm incredibly happy. First time playing at Wimbledon, and made the second week here, which was incredible. Hopefully I can learn from the mistakes that I made today and use it for the next time I'm in the fourth round. Last time I was in the fourth round I didn't win a set. I played against Nadal.

Today I played my first-ever five-set match. It was a whole new experience for me. I'm just learning. I mean, every tournament I'm learning new things and, yeah, it's probably the best thing I could do for myself right now.

Q. You would have played Denis Shapovalov. Curious what you see in him or other young guys who are pushing into top 10 that you can try and learn from as you make next steps in your trajectory?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I practiced with Denis a lot last year, because we were both kind of in our own bubble and practicing during the lockdown. We were fortunate to have a court right next to our house, and it was awesome, and a couple of other guys.

Yeah, he's a good guy. He's a great tennis player. He puts on a good show. He's playing some really good tennis right now. Hopefully he can keep going and keep doing his thing.