DAVIS CUP QUALIFIERS: USA VS COLOMBIA

March 4, 2022

Sebastian Korda

Press Conference

S. KORDA/N. Mejia

6-4, 1-6, 6-4

USA - 1

Colombia - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk about having your first Davis Cup behind you as a win.

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, it's special. I grew up watching Davis Cup because my dad coached Radek Stepanek, and Davis Cup was one of the biggest things for him.

It was extremely special to have my debut and I win. It's truly special, especially playing a friend like Nico. We kind of grew up in juniors, we traveled. We practiced so many times. I knew his game, he knew my game.

Just a lot of fun today. The crowd was just epic.

Q. As a kid, did you joke around with him, We'll meet in Davis Cup?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, we dreamed about it so many times. Nico, he's super proud, especially when he plays for his country. I mean, he had the opportunity in Turin last year. Just watching him play, how incredible he was doing for his country.

Yeah, just to finally get that opportunity for myself, yeah, just so happens that my first match in Davis Cup was against my really good friend. It was a special day for me, that's for sure.

Q. Talk about the twists and turns of that match. You really kind of rolled through the first set.

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I was serving great in the first set. Kind of lost my rhythm a little bit. He broke me back, then he started playing incredible tennis.

It's never easy. Especially in altitude, if you kind of stop going after the ball, it gets a little tough, sails on you a little bit. Out of nowhere you're kind of down a break, and he's fired up, playing really good tennis.

Yeah, just kind of settled myself down. With Mardy on the bench, he was always really supportive and really great with me. Yeah, big hold at 4-All, felt comfortable going in and closing it out.

Q. It doesn't look like you ever really doubted that you'd come out the winner in that one.

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I mean, with the tennis I play, it's aggressive. You might lose a couple games here and there, but I really trust the way I play tennis, kind of just really believe in myself.

I just kept telling myself, Keep pushing, keep pushing. When my chance came, I grabbed it. Yeah, smiles all around.

Q. How did the nerves feel out there? How did the atmosphere of playing Davis Cup compare to playing on the ATP Tour?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: It's definitely different. Everybody has nerves every single match. But, yeah, I was just super comfortable. I don't really get too nervous. But, yeah, it was epic seeing the crowd kind of fire you up, all the cow bells, the drums, everything going on.

Definitely a unique experience and hopefully I can use it and keep going the way I'm going.

Q. You mentioned the altitude. How much of an effect did that have on you?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, it affects everybody. It's not too often we played in altitude. I think there were a couple of ATP tournaments, five, six, eight, 10 years ago, in Ecuador, in Quito, somewhere like that. We don't get that much of an opportunity to practice in it.

You got to really go after your shots, trust them. As soon as you hold back a little bit, the ball will sail on you and you get in trouble.

Q. People are saying on paper No. 40 against No. 265. Are you surprised by the level he brought out there?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: No. I mean, we've practiced so many times. He proved himself in Turin, how great of a tennis player he is. He really had us, Frances Tiafoe, a couple of match points I'm pretty sure. Played a really good match against Sonego. He's a great player. He's super passionate. When you mix those two things together, it's dangerous when you play for your country.

Q. How did Mardy help you? Talk about your bond in the other sport battle in golf.

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, he plays with my sister all the time whenever he plays a tournament in Orlando. They get paired quite a bit. They always talk.

Mardy is awesome. He's so calm and relaxed on the bench. I don't know if he fakes it or not. At least with me he's so great. Just a real privilege to play for him.

When I was a kid, I used to ball boy for him when I used to watch practice with Radek and him. I told him there was a time in Washington in 2013, '14, when he was making his comeback from his health issues. I was ballboy for him. His physio, as well, Christian, who is our physio here, he was with him there.

It's cool to get the chance to play Davis Cup, but to have a captain like Mardy.

Q. Was he polite to you then?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Mardy is as polite as it gets. He's one of the nicest guys in tennis. You can see it on his face. He's always got a smile, he's always happy.

Q. In 1996 your dad won the fifth and decisive match against the United States in Prague, meeting Mal Washington. Did he mention that? Has he talked about that match?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: No. That's kind of cool, though. Yeah, I know my dad played quite a bit of Davis Cup. Now to get the opportunity for myself, it's cool representing the USA. Hopefully I can represent it for many years to come.