THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2022

Denis Shapovalov

Press Conference

D. SHAPOVALOV/A. Rinderknech

6-1, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Normally you'd have 720 ranking points to defend for reaching semifinals last year, which is about a third of your points at the moment. Obviously it's a shame that Wimbledon doesn't have ranking points this year, but since that is out of your control, does that maybe free up some pressure on you a little bit? How much did that play a part in helping you snap your losing streak today?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: I don't think that had anything to do with the match today. I think points or no points, Wimbledon is Wimbledon, and the pressure remains the same.

It's a big tournament, if not the biggest in the world. You come and you want to perform, you want to win, want to do well.

I mean, once I found out that was the decision, it kind of left my mind, you know, and hasn't really been a focus of mine. It's just been about trying to get, as best as I can, ready for the grass.

Yeah, like I said, I mean, I'm very happy to win today. For me, the tournament, the prestige, and the history behind this tournament speaks for itself and speaks for its own, or causes its own pressure. So I don't think points really give or do anything.

Q. Any difference in your head space between the last three matches on grass and today?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: I wouldn't say the last three matches. Maybe in Mallorca was a little bit difficult mentally, but the other matches has been good. I mean, I lost to a tough opponent. Tommy Paul is playing great. I had some difficult draws. So for me didn't affect my tennis or my mind so much at all.

I know that my game is there. You know, obviously had another extremely tough first round playing Arthur. He's a great opponent, obviously beat me this year already. I knew it was going to be challenging.

So I'm just happy to get the win. Felt like I was playing great tennis again today. Yeah, I'm just happy to get one of these wins.

Q. Did something kick in there in the fourth set where you were talking about after Queen's having that moment where all the hard work and the luck and the breaks, did something just kind of kick in there, like, Okay, here we go?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, I mean, I felt like I started the match really well. Two sets that I lost, I mean, of course I'd like to take back some double faults, some decisions, but it's tennis and I go for my serve, you know.

So it's going to happen. But I still felt like I was the better player on the court. I felt like if I can take my chances and get a couple of breaks, then I can have a good chance to turn the match around. That's exactly what happened.

Obviously he broke me in the fourth. Maybe started to feel a little bit like he's got the match in his hands. You know, it was a big moment for me to come back and break right away and kind of take that away from him and just roll with the momentum and roll with it throughout the fifth as well.

I think it was pretty -- you know, I'm pretty happy with my performance in those stages. Overall I'm really satisfied with my play today.

Q. Is this the kind of match that may become double for the confidence because it was a tough one? After a rough couple of weeks maybe that makes it even better.

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: For sure, for sure. It's definitely a confidence booster. Matches like this always turn your perspective around. Again, that's why I like or I love to play Grand Slams.

I mean, I'm joking with my team, I feel like I'm starting to love five-set matches. I only won five sets, it looks like (smiling).

But, yeah, I mean, I do love the long battle and having time to turn it around and having that extra little bit of time to figure things out. It's amazing.

Yeah, it's always kind of a different feeling going to a Grand Slam, and I have a little bit more security or confidence when I enter these tournaments, just feeling that I do have that extra time. And if I am playing good tennis, that players like Arthur have to match that, you know, for a longer period of time, for let's say five sets.

So I do think it does help my chances.

Q. Do you think it could be a nerve thing too? Like you have time to settle down in five sets, maybe you can more relax when you have time?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Yeah, for sure. I mean, like I said, yeah, it's a long match. Yeah, you have time to settle your nerves. You have time to figure out how to play against every opponent, figure out how he's serving, this and that.

So for me it's a little bit sense of confidence and calmness going into the match knowing that if I make it long, I mean, on top of all the things, I think physically I have always been great in five sets.

I feel confident going into a fifth set. I think, you know -- knock on wood -- but most of my career I have always felt fresh going into the fifth.

It's just a confidence, an added confidence knowing that, okay, if things aren't working your way, if you just make the match longer somehow, if you try to fight, figure out a way, you know, it's going to be to your benefit.

Q. You seem to get so angry with yourself over a missed shot or unforced error and you show it, you let it out. Is that just what you think works best for you over the course of a match?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: It's just who I am. It's just who I am. I'm fiery, either way. I get really pumped up with myself and get really angry on myself.

Whether it works good for me or not, it's just the person that I am, and it's something that I don't think I'm going to change, just because it's just part of me, and it's made me the player I am today. It's taken me this far, and hopefully it can take me as far as possible.

Just because I'm getting angry or something doesn't mean it's a bad thing. It fires me up to get back into the next point and be better, you know.

You look at guys like Novak, Andy, they get upset with themselves a lot, but they are amazing players for it, and I think if they weren't like that maybe they wouldn't be as good as they are.

Q. What do you know about your next opponent?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: Not much. Of course I have seen him around. Never played him. Looks like a really solid player. You know, doesn't really have so many weaknesses. Big serve overall. Really solid.

So it's going to be an interesting match, of course. Definitely just happy to get through today and have a chance to play another match.

Q. Were you able to exchange any words with Felix or console him in any way? Did you see him after the match?

DENIS SHAPOVALOV: No, no, I couldn't see him unfortunately, yeah.