ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

January 8, 2023

Sebastian Korda

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/S. Korda

6-7, 7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Great battle out there. Your thoughts on the match tonight.

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, very close. Unfortunate, but that's why he's so good. Take a lot of positives from it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you appreciate at the time playing against one of the greatest players ever, is there some satisfaction you can take out of that?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I mean, throughout the match, you kind of look over and you kind of feel like you're dreaming. I've watched him play on TV basically all my life. It was an unbelievable experience for me. It was very close, but I'll take a lot of great things from it like I always do and move forward.

Q. Is there a part of you that can enjoy it as well?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I mean, for sure. While you're playing, you're having a lot of fun. Especially with the crowd, they were amazing. Yeah, kind of like a surreal thing that you're playing Novak Djokovic in a final. Yeah, one thing I definitely won't forget and I'll take a lot of things from it.

Q. This isn't condescending, but was that the best performance of your career do you think?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, there were definitely times where I was playing really, really great. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever played, but it's definitely up there.

I think it shows me that I definitely have the game to disrupt whoever's on the other side of the net. I take a lot of pride in that. I think going forward, it's just only going to help me to get these kind of experiences under my belt, even though it hurts. That's the way it is.

Q. It was obvious to everyone and to yourself you went there believing you could win that match. So close. What is that going to do for you going forward?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, it's one thing to kind of say before, another thing to kind of, like, really feel it on court. There have been times where I've been playing like Nadal at my first French Open, I believe I'm going to do well, but deep down inside you know you're playing the greatest of all time on that surface.

I'm finally getting that feeling of I belong here, I belong to play with these guys. I think it only just gives me heaps of confidence going forward.

Q. Can you tell us what was going through your head when you had championship point?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Not much. The same thing. Just try and stay positive, hope for kind of something to happen. He played a great match point. Played a great game after that. He kind of stepped up, changed his tactic a little bit, went through the ball more. Paid off for him there.

Q. Whenever Novak has been on court, the crowd has been with him. Tonight you played the kind of tennis where it was bipartisan. Has it felt like that for you?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I mean, I really appreciate everyone that came out tonight, definitely the support I always get. Of course, you heard 'Novak' a lot, but I heard a lot of, 'Let's go, Seb' out there. It's inspiring to get a few cheers here and there when you're playing Novak.

But yeah, I mean, it was a great experience. The crowd was amazing. It's a great week for me.

Q. Go on about the end of the first set, three set points, what about your ability to swing the momentum back in your way?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I think that's one of the biggest things about my game is mentally I don't completely lose it. I'll have moments where I'll be a little negative, but that's one thing I've been working on a lot. I can probably say that I don't think I had one negative thought this whole week.

I tried to keep telling myself that positive energy is more powerful than negative energy. Kind of just been using that. Kept believing in myself, kept going after it, and good things happened.

Q. Does this change your plans for next week?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: I got to sit down with my team and kind of evaluate something, see how we go forward.

Q. Looking ahead to the Australian Open, you are going to be seeded, how important is it to back it up now?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, it's different. Last year I would sometimes have a good week, follow it with not such a great week. Kind of getting some experience under my belt.

Last year I went back-to-back finals in a row, so I think I learned a lot from that. Hopefully I can use that for the coming week.

Obviously different tournament, a Grand Slam. I think I believe in myself. Going forward I think I can do really well here.

Q. Does it make you feel like you can beat anyone on the tour?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: I definitely have the game for it. I've got to thank my parents for that. But, yeah, I mean, I know what I'm capable of. Just waiting for my time.