LAVER CUP

September 23, 2022

Patrick McEnroe

Alex De Minaur

Press Conference

A. De MINAUR/A. Murray

5-7, 6-3, 10-7

Team Europe - 2

Team World - 1

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Alex de Minaur and Patrick McEnroe. The usual rules apply.

Questions.

Q. Alex, what was that like? What did it feel like playing that match and the experience of having the entire team behind you, pushing you on, Johnny Mac alongside, et cetera?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, it was definitely something. A lot of nerves, a lot of, you know, excitement. You know, I just wanted to do what I can to get a point for Team World. That's what I tried to do. I knew it was never going to be easy. It was always going to be a battle.

You know, I'm ready for that. I'm ready to go for as long as it takes. If today he comes out and he beats me because he plays too good, I just shake his hand and nothing else I can do.

But I know I'm always going to leave it out there, going to give it 150%. I was able to get a great win today in front of a packed crowd, which was definitely a great atmosphere.

Q. What was it like playing Andy, the first time y'all have met on a court?

ALEX de MINAUR: Second time I have played Andy. I played him in Zhuhai a couple years back. Yeah, definitely different out here, playing in his backyard in the O2 where he's had so many great memories. Yeah, I'm stoked.

Q. Alex, how important was it for you guys to get this win after losing the first two today? Were you pressing maybe a little? Didn't seem like you were pressing, but how important was it to get that first win?

ALEX de MINAUR: Yeah, look, you know, we had a couple unfortunate matches. Jack had chances to win his, and Stefanos played too good. Always knew my match was going to be a big one to try and get a point and get us on track for Team World.

Hey, everyone in this team is going to leave it all out there, and that's the most important thing. No matter what the result is, you know that we are going to give 150% and fight till the end. That's all you can ask for.

VICE CAPTAIN PATRICK McENROE: It was massively important. We were lucky we had Alex out there, because, you know, obviously playing against Andy, who is just such a great competitor himself, but to have Alex who is as good of a competitor, which saying a lot. He pulled through for us big time.

Q. Alex, how would you describe some of the points that were played? You're known for playing some crazy terrific points. How would you describe some of the points that you guys played today?

ALEX de MINAUR: Well, to be honest, I felt like I was in the receiving end of a lot of those epic points. I felt like they weren't really going my way.

But, yeah, ultimately the only thing I'm trying to do is make him earn it, you know, play that extra shot. If he can come up with some of those shots he did, you just clap your hands. Say, Too good.

You go on to the next point and try to do it all over again. If he can keep on pulling those shots out, then too good. But more often than not, that's not going to be the case.

Q. You have played some pretty big matches in your very young career. Where would you rate this?

ALEX de MINAUR: That's a great question. Honestly don't know. Probably the kind of nerves and just the sense of, you know, having my back against the wall out there wasn't easy, by any means. We were in a battle. It was a big win for me. That's for sure.

And also, the first super-tiebreak I have won this year, which is massive. I have lost a couple brutal ones in slams, so hopefully this can put me on track if I'm ever going to play another super in a slam.

Q. Andy kept coming back at you. Could you sense that he was maybe cramping and went off a little bit, especially in the second set, found a second wind, but it looked like he was struggling to some degree.

ALEX de MINAUR: Well, that's why I put in the work, to be able to do that all day. You know, a lot of hours go into my body, trying to get the most out of myself, and ultimately today it helped out.

But, yeah, I just gotta bring that every day.