THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 10, 2022

Shingo Kunieda

Press Conference

S. KUNIEDA/A. Hewett

4-6, 7-5, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Shingo, what a match. Give us your thoughts.

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Yes, very tough match. It was one of the most tough match in my career. Yes, just never give up was the key all the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The full collection, a career slam. Where does this slam title rank amongst your many slam titles? Is it top 20, top 10 or the best?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: The best (laughter).

Yeah, I think this title is very hardest one because of grass. I have clay court record, but in past I didn't play good on grass. I was thinking, yes, Wimbledon is hardest title for me.

But this year I could find the way to play on the grass. So now I can say I can play well on grass, yeah (smiling).

Q. You're a fan of a certain type of chess. How did the skills from chess help you come back consistently against Alfie today?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: You know, my Japanese chess level is very low. I think it is not helpful for my tennis. But mentally is my weapon, my biggest weapon.

If I had behind situation, tough situation, I never give up. I said to myself, I can do it. I know what to do. Yeah, that's only way.

Q. You said after the match that you got some help from another G.O.A.T. in Roger Federer. What advice did he give you? Are you going to repay the favor and help him out on clay?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Last year I lost first round against Gordon. Then we had the Uniqlo event, and I could ask the question to Roger. My question was how to play on grass and how to think when behind, yeah, on grass.

He said, Yeah, you should attack every point. If you mistake, no regret. That's the key, yeah, he said.

I tried to think if I mistake, Oh, this is okay. Then I go next point with aggressive. Yeah, this was the way to play on grass, yeah.

Q. Could you take me back to the moment of victory and all the emotion that came out. What was going through your mind at that moment? How amazing was it?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Yeah, it was a very special moment since Tokyo 2020. Yeah, it was my biggest highlight in my career. But this was almost same, yeah.

Really wanted to get this title. Yeah, you know my age, 38, so I was thinking it will be last chance today. Yes, I very happy about that, yeah.