THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2021

Roberto Bautista Agut

Press Conference

D. SHAPOVALOV/R. Bautista Agut

6-1, 6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What made Denis so tough to play against today? Seemed like he started really well and continued playing great the whole match.

ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT: Well, I played against a very good version of Denis. I think he played great. He was hitting so hard. He was serving well.

Well, it's one of the days that I could not play my best tennis. That's it, no? We have to accept, to see the positive things I did this tournament, and keep going.

Q. Did Denis do anything that surprised you in this match?

ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT: Yes, the speed of his ball. His groundstrokes were very hard, and he also served really good.

Well, he did a great job, and I have to congratulate him because he was better player today.

Q. I have just got a question about Novak Djokovic. He's been playing really well this year, and at times it looks like he's sort of unbeatable. You have had good success against him in the past, won three times. What do you think as a player you have to do well on the court to beat Djokovic?

ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT: Well, now it's going to be tough to beat him, no? I think he's doing well. He has a lot of confidence. He did a great job in Paris. He's still showing good tennis here.

I think when you have to play him, you have to be patient. You have to play long rallies to make him tired. That's what I did when I play him.

Q. Do you feel like you play more aggressively against him, or do you think it's more about playing the long rallies?

ROBERTO BAUTISTA AGUT: Well, I try to do my things, no? I'm not gonna say it to you which are my tactics to play him. It's things I'm going to keep for myself.

I wish him good success, and that's it.