THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 9, 2022

Liv Hovde

Press Conference

L. HOVDE/L. Udvardy

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Liv, Wimbledon champion. How does that feel?

LIV HOVDE: It feels amazing and I can't even believe it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I understand you met Novak Djokovic after your match.

LIV HOVDE: Yeah, we had, like, a conversation. He was really nice. He asked me, like, how I felt. He's a really nice guy, so it was really cool.

Q. Did he pass on his congratulations?

LIV HOVDE: Yeah, he did. Then we took a photo together, so it was really cool.

Q. That's a nice way to end a very nice day.

LIV HOVDE: Yeah.

Q. We talked yesterday a little bit about what it might feel like when you walked out onto that court. How did it feel?

LIV HOVDE: Well, there were a lot of people, so it was very nerve-wracking at the beginning, but then I just focused on myself, and it got better throughout the match.

Q. Did you feel that she was the crowd favorite at all maybe because she was the underdog? Did you ever sense they were pulling a little bit for her, especially after you won the first set?

LIV HOVDE: I was just trying to focus on my side. Wasn't really focused on what the crowd was saying or anything.

Q. Did you hear them?

LIV HOVDE: I kind of, like, tried to block them out as much as possible just to focus on myself, so...

Q. You've had good results on grass so far. What is it you like about it? Did you expect to have this be such a good surface for you?

LIV HOVDE: I think it suits my game well. It's my first two tournaments, like, on grass, so it's really good to be able to win both.

Q. What is it about grass that you like?

LIV HOVDE: I like how it's fast-moving. It's just a great surface overall.

Q. So many Americans have won junior Grand Slams. Is it good to follow in their footsteps?

LIV HOVDE: Yeah, it's really cool to win a junior Grand Slam, and have it be Wimbledon because it's a great tournament overall.

Q. That makes for a very exciting future.

LIV HOVDE: Yeah, so I have to be back here in the pros one day.

Q. There were no points here. Did you ever consider not playing because of that?

LIV HOVDE: Well, I didn't play it last year 'cause I couldn't get in. Now I got to play it this year, and having me be the 1 seed, it's a really cool experience. The points are just a bonus. But this time they didn't have points, and that's okay.

Q. Before the tournament started, did your coach Phil Dent tell you any stories about when he played here, and what one of those might have been?

LIV HOVDE: He said that just it's a great experience to play it, that he hopes that I do well. I think he had some success on it, so he hoped the same for me.

Q. Have you talked to him?

LIV HOVDE: Yeah. He's very proud and just sends his congratulations to me.

Q. Have you turned pro yet?

LIV HOVDE: I have not turned pro.

Q. Is it something you're considering?

LIV HOVDE: I just have to see where things go.

Q. What are your junior plans for the rest of the year? Will you be playing US Open juniors?

LIV HOVDE: Yeah.

Q. Have you hopes of becoming junior world champion?

LIV HOVDE: I'll just do the best that I can do. If it turns out that that happens, that will be great.

Q. Do you think this will change your life in any way?

LIV HOVDE: I think it's a great step, but I still have a little bit to go to get to the pros, big stage.

Q. You're planning to play San Diego, I hope?

LIV HOVDE: Hard courts?

Q. Yes.

LIV HOVDE: Yes.

Q. What's on offer there is the US Open wild card. Is that something that you can now let yourself think about?

LIV HOVDE: Well, if it happens, then great. But if it doesn't, that's okay, too.

Q. Aside from Djokovic, anyone you saw or met this week that was exciting for you?

LIV HOVDE: I've seen Nick Kyrgios around, and I hope to go see him play tomorrow. That would be really fun.

Q. You're a fan of Nick's?

LIV HOVDE: Yeah, really fun to watch.