AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2022

Denis Shapovalov

Press Conference

D. SHAPOVALOV/A. Zverev

6-3, 7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Today's performance was really solid. You have been dealing with the weather conditions really well, too. What do you think has worked best for you today?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, I was definitely just overall solid today. Felt pretty comfortable from the back. Felt like I was outplaying Sascha in the baseline, so it was a good sign early on.

Then, yeah, just think I played smart. Obviously it was really hot to begin with. Did a good job of just staying patient and, yeah, trying to play a little quick, you know, on my serve games.

Yeah, I think I did everything really, really well today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. First of all, such a successful start to the year for you. What are you most satisfied with in general, especially coming out of quarantine and stuff?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, yeah, definitely. I mean, there was a lot of doubts once I got to Australia with the quarantine, having gotten COVID, not sure how I would take it, not sure I would be able to play ATP Cup.

Obviously very happy with the way I'm feeling, first of all, you know, coming out of quarantine, playing ATP Cup, had a little bit of doubts, wasn't ready to kind of play the first match and kind of worked my way through the tournament and started to feel back to normal towards the end of that week.

So it was a good sign. And then coming here, I had a couple of aches and wasn't feeling 100% physically. So wasn't practicing that much, to be honest, and just trying to prepare the body as best as possible.

Yeah, just really happy with where I am in terms of my game, in terms of the level right now.

Obviously every day is different. But, you know, I feel like with every match I have gained a little bit of confidence and a little bit of comfort playing on these courts. For sure, you know, I'm just pleased overall with my game so far and my fighting spirit. Yeah, just battling out in every single match.

Hopefully I can continue going this way.

Q. You played a few times against Rafa, and you beat him a few times, as well. But this will be your first Grand Slam against each other. What do you think should be the key of the match?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, I'm definitely expecting a long battle out there. Obviously he makes you play a lot. His defense is very good. He's very good at what he does, you know. So gonna have to try to play my game, take it to him and keep doing what I have been doing; playing patient, fighting for every point, and just, you know, picking my spots to play aggressively.

Q. You're in fantastic form out there. What are you loving most about playing here in Australia?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: I've always loved to come down here. Australia reminds me a lot of Canada, the people, the cities, you know, it's a very similar vibe. So I've always had -- it's always had a warm place in my heart.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to have a breakthrough run until now at the Australian Open, but I've always felt also that the courts suit my game and, you know, it's gonna come eventually. I've had some tough draws, some tough matches. I've always felt like I've been playing good, so it's always been exciting to come back and compete here again.

But I think everything about it, the hospitality, everything, the tournament takes great care of us. You know, like I said, the fans are electric. It's just kind of a perfect place to play and a perfect way to start the season off.

Q. Talking of patience, I'm curious how, in your view, that has developed over your career. And against Sascha what kind of challenges of staying patient went today?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, for sure, it's definitely something I've been learning to do. Hasn't come natural to me, unfortunately. I've always wanted to, you know, to play quick and go for my shots.

But it's difficult when you play a guy with the caliber like Sascha. You know, you can't go through him in one or two shots. You have to stay in the rallies, you have to work for the points. Then when you have an opportunity then you can swing in and go for it.

It's been a little bit of adapting to that. Yeah, I mean, definitely I've been doing it much better, you know, as I've grown. Hopefully I can just continue to improve that and really know when to pick my moments to go for it and to play aggressive.

Q. Working with Jamie what that's been like, how you ended up choosing him in the first place?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, it's been awesome. The way it came about was at the end of last year me and Misha, we mutually split, we both decided it just wasn't working out. Was looking for a coach, and Jamie was one of the guys that me and my team had thought about. We heard that he had split with Andy. So, you know, we just gave him a call and asked if he'd be interested to join the team and try out and see how it would work.

Obviously it's been, you know, really good so far. It's been just a couple of weeks. Obviously it's really new. But we've definitely clicked in terms of personalities and in terms of, you know, working on the court. I think we both have kind of the same vision for my game.

Yeah, I feel like he's a super understanding person. Obviously he's got so much experience and, you know, he's been through so much with Andy. So he's definitely got a lot of experience under his belt. That's something that I really thought would be great to add to my team.

Q. I just want to come back to Sascha a little bit and your clash today. People talk a lot about his record at slams against other players in the top 10 and guys in the top 20 like yourself. Does that ever come into your mind during planning? Is it something you talk about, saying, oh, we know Sascha has this record against players like me, how can we kind of use that?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: No, no, it wasn't discussed at all, actually. To be honest, I think you have a record, but every match, every tournament is different. So can't really go off of, you know, based off of a record or something like this. Everyone is feeling differently all the time. He's made a finals of a slam, so I think he's a little bit over it.

But for sure, I mean, I like my chances against him. I played him a couple of times. Even the last time we played I lost 7-6 in the third but I felt I had good chances. I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I definitely felt I was capable of winning today. Obviously I believed it throughout the match.

Q. Can I ask you, you're obviously one of the most aggressive players out there. You also hit more double faults than most players. How do you shake that off? Is that an important step for you?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: I mean, it's a part of tennis. I like to go for it, and for sure, I mean, it's not ideal, but it is what it is and you have to move on from it and try to play the next point obviously, you know. I'd like to not be missing any shots or hitting any double faults, but unfortunately, that's the game of tennis.

The way I look at it is, it's a game of mistakes. So it's always kind of nice that you're allowed to make mistakes and just keep going from it.

Q. Great win today. You're just the third Canadian man to actually make the quarterfinals of singles here, joining Milos Raonic, who's done it five times, Mike Belkin in 1968. Firstly, is it special for you to set tennis records that are Canadian records? I'm curious if you'll be watching if Felix Auger-Aliassime can join you in the quarters for his first match tomorrow?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: For sure. I think what we've been doing has been amazing, especially with the start of the season, you know, for Canada, lifting probably the first team title in tennis in history, you know, along with Felix. And what we're doing in Australia here is special, as well. Hopefully a lot of Canadians are able to watch.

Also, it's not a super-easy time in Canada right now. So hopefully it's just shedding a little bit of light and, you know, hopefully people have something to watch and to cheer for and to follow, you know.

So, I mean, it's great to be doing it alongside a guy like Felix who's obviously a remarkable player, as well, and we've come up from the juniors together. It's a pretty special story I think to share with him. Obviously it would be amazing if he can go through and we can, you know, just keep going like this.

For sure, he's more than capable of it. He's an amazing player. He played unbelievable against Dan the other day, so I have full confidence in him.