NEXT GEN ATP FINALS

November 11, 2022

Brandon Nakashima

Press Conference

B. NAKASHIMA/J. Draper

4-3, 1-4, 4-2, 4-3

Q. Can you tell us how difficult it was? Because you had the match point in the fourth set. Then you could have lost the fourth set when you were behind with the tiebreak. So how do you describe what happened and how happy you must be?

BRANDON NAKASHIMA: Yeah, very tough match. I thought both of us were playing at such high quality right from the beginning up until the end there.

I had the match point in the fourth set, but he hit a great serve and I couldn't really do anything about it. So just happy to stay focused in that fourth set tiebreak. I was down 5-2. And to be able to come back and just grind out those last couple points, super happy to just close it out.

Q. Players who reached the semifinal twice have always lost before the final. You're the first one to go farther. Is that satisfaction? And how important is also there's a big prize money in this tournament? I mean, probably the biggest you may win in your career until now; am I correct?

BRANDON NAKASHIMA: Yeah, possibly. I'm definitely looking forward to the final tomorrow. Last year I had a tough match in the semis. But no, I think I've grown a lot as a player throughout the past year. Just happy to see all the hard work paying off. So I'm happy to be in the final tomorrow and just going to give it my best effort.

Q. Normally it's very difficult to beat the same player in the same tournament twice. We saw in the ATP Masters that many times the matches were reversed. But you beat very easily Lahecka when you played on Wednesday. What do you expect and what do you remember of that match? What was the most difficult thing to face when you played him?

BRANDON NAKASHIMA: Yeah, I think tomorrow is going to be a tough match. Like you said, we played on Wednesday and I think tomorrow is just going to be a brand new match. I'm sure he learned a lot about my game the last time we played. Me as well too.

So it's going to be an even match, for sure. He definitely has a very aggressive game. Very good serve. So I know I have to return well, be quick on my feet and just keep playing my game as best as possible.

Q. Big team with you. Eduardo, Franco and Zimalya (phonetic), maybe, that's okay. Which is the importance of a so-big team? And which goal you have with so-big team? Because I think now without a very strong team it's very difficult to go high.

BRANDON NAKASHIMA: Yeah, it's been great having all of them this past year. To be all together at the last tournament of the year I think is super special. I appreciate all their hard work throughout this whole year.

I think each of them have brought tremendous impact on my game this year. So I'm very happy about my team and we're definitely looking forward to the new year.

Q. What is your best memory in your tennis career? Beating Shapovalov in Wimbledon and reaching the last 16? Reaching the third round in Roland Garros and US Open? Winning San Diego the tournament in your hometown?

BRANDON NAKASHIMA: I think I would have to go with winning my first ATP title in my hometown. Yeah, it was definitely a big goal of mine to get my first ATP title this year. To do it in my hometown of San Diego where I grew up and where I learned to play tennis was super special. Having all may friends and family there supporting me it's definitely a great memory that I'll have forever. So I'm super happy about the year so far.