THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 2, 2021

Denis Kudla

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/D. Kudla

6-4, 6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You played pretty well and you had him on the run for a while, didn't you? Did you feel that way?

DENIS KUDLA: Yeah, today was definitely a tough match. Felt like I played the way I wanted to play for the most part in a couple of key moments. You know, playing two, three unfortunate games in that match that allowed him to win in straights, but obviously that's what makes him so great.

But, no, I thought I held my own right away. I thought it was super important to start well, hold, not go down a break and allow him to kind of steam-roll early. Third set I definitely had my chances. My legs kind of went out towards the end. I played a lot of tennis, and also kind of just me not being used to that environment with kind of the stress kind of wore me out a lot quicker than I would have liked to, because I know I can play five sets at a high level for a long period of time.

So I was tired out early. Was just kind of everything around me just kind of wore me out. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with that match. I played in front of a full crowd. For the most part, it was amazing, and to be toe to toe with Novak was pretty special.

Q. He was very complimentary about you afterwards. I don't know if you heard what he said on court. He was talking about how the crowd seemed to be for you against him, you know, the qualifier against the World No. 1. You seemed to get the crowd going, didn't you, when you hit some great shots towards the end of that second set?

DENIS KUDLA: Yeah, I mean, I did not hear what he said. But obviously the compliment to me, that's great. I'm going to go back and try and see that video.

But, yeah, I mean, I tried to keep the crowd in it. I had opportunity. I kind of know where just to throw my arms up. I felt like they wanted to cheer for something. It was really out of nowhere just to try and break back early in the second, and I just feel like a lot of tennis players are pretty stale. So I wanted to be able to throw a little something in there, entertain them even -- I didn't know how the rest of the match was going to go, but getting entertaining, talking with them, interacting, it's what people want to see.

When I go to other sporting events, that's what I want to see. Just somebody with their head down, just playing every single point and not saying anything isn't that fun to watch sometimes.

But obviously the tennis backs it up and you don't really care about it, but I felt like today we kind of had both. It was incredible to walk off that court and get the standing ovation. I wish I could have won that third, because I would have thrown a pretty massive "Come on."

Until next time...

Q. He just said not only that you played very well but that you are very good player and possibly should be ranked a lot higher than you are. Obviously it upsets him when the crowd are against him. What do you think about him? Do you think he deserves more praise, more love?

DENIS KUDLA: I mean, he's in a situation where, yeah, and people like the underdogs. I think in most sports when you see someone who's that highly ranked and as dominant as him, people just want to see a change, unfortunately.

Everyone I think respects what he does. I think there are unanimously Roger fans in this world. No one has more fans than him. I think they just maybe want him to keep that record. That's probably one reason maybe they cheer against him.

But, yeah, I mean, my opinion is I would think people just want to see other people win. But it's just so hard to beat him because he's just so good. I don't think he does anything wrong. But it is pretty interesting how against him how, unfortunately how easy it is to get the crowd on your side if you decide to stay there and really get them engaged.

Playing Roger, that was not easy to do that. I felt like they were totally on Roger's side. But, yeah, Novak's a little bit easier. He wins. That's all that really matters at the end of the day. I don't think it really matters who is cheering for him or who isn't. His record speaks for him.

Q. I guess it has to be part of the tactics when you're up against a player who is so good to try to get that bit of extra help?

DENIS KUDLA: Yeah, it was part of the tactics, to use the crowd and try and get him flustered, other ways obviously with respecting him and everything, but if I can get the crowd on my side, it's only going to help me, at least I think so. That was definitely into the game plan.

Q. Do you see yourself now as going on from this grass court run you have had and maybe breaking into the top 50 and beyond?

DENIS KUDLA: Yeah. I'm at a point in my career where I feel like I don't have really time to experiment and waste. I'm not 22, 23. You know, I'm about to be 29. Obviously people are playing for a lot longer than they used to, but if I want to make a mark in this sport and get to a level where I feel like my talent can take me, I believe I could be a top 30 player. I believe I can win a tour event.

But just haven't been able to put the consistency together in my career. I feel like I'm motivated and ready to put the work in. Don't really have any distractions. Have a good support system. I'm ready for it.

I think this year was extremely difficult to handle adversity mentally because of the doubles, not being able to have outlets. You're just kind of consumed with tennis 24/7.

But, no, I mean, grass court season has always been really good to me. I was able to capitalize this year, have a lot of confidence right now, and hoping I'm going to ride it into the U.S. summer.

I feel fit. Body feels pretty good. Need to continue to take care of it and see what happens.