NITTO ATP FINALS

November 14, 2021

Hubert Hurkacz

Pala Alpitour, Torino

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/H. Hurkacz

6-7, 6-3, 6-4

Q. Very close match, great first set. What changed after that first set and what makes Daniil so difficult to play against on this surface?

HUBERT HURKACZ: No, I mean, Daniil's an amazing player and he plays great tennis for the whole match, like he doesn't have dips in his game, so you know that makes him such a tough opponent.

Q. How would you compare the surface and the balls here compared to Paris?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Oh, here is way faster. I mean, I think the surface could be close, but the balls make huge difference, so it's quite fast here.

I mean, Daniil was serving great, I was serving decent apart from two games, so it was, it's quite quick here.

Q. Well played, despite the loss, so would you say that this match has been more of an encouragement to you than a disappointment, knowing that this format allows for second chances during the round robin segment?

HUBERT HURKACZ: I mean, definitely I play on a decent level, I think I can do even better than this. I still have a chance to qualify from the group, so it's great, so, yeah, I'll just keep fighting and keep believing in myself.

Q. Following up on the surface, Daniil said on court after the match that it was so fast that it's kind of impossible to enjoy the match because there's no rallies at all and it's all about first-strike tennis. I'm curious, is that how you felt, did you feel that it needs to be a bit slower at least for it to be more entertaining or is it just a matter of getting used to the surface?

HUBERT HURKACZ: I think it's getting used to the surface and plus we both have decent serves, so maybe we both didn't return as well as we maybe hoped, for sure me.

But, yeah, it's quite quick, but when there's a rally I think we can play some longer rallies, that's what Daniil enjoys to do.

Q. Obviously because this is a unique format in round robin and everything, how do you reset from a loss and know that you're not leaving, you still have more to go?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, just try to stay positive, just say, Okay, I lost this match, but think about the positives, analyze what I can do better and prepare for the next one.