ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

January 14, 2023

Soonwoo Kwon

Press Conference

S. KWON/R. Bautista Agut

6-4, 3-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: With that title today, Soonwoo will move to 52 in the Pepperstone ATP rankings which will tie a career high ranking, and also he's the first South Korean player to win two ATP Tour titles. Congratulations. Your thoughts on the match?

SOONWOO KWON: Yeah, thank you. My second title, ATP Tour. It was a really tough match today, so I don't know, I'm just really happy to win today. It's crazy.

Q. What do you think allowed you to win today?

SOONWOO KWON: Yeah, I don't know. Just he played very well, so yeah, I had so many chances, so I tried to be aggressive, and I tried to be more positive. Just play one game at a time.

Q. Maybe two years ago, I saw you at Davis Cup in New Port, Rhode Island, against New Zealand.

SOONWOO KWON: Yeah.

Q. How much have you changed since then?

SOONWOO KWON: I think mentally more strong, I think. I had more experience two years ago for now, so yeah, I had so many confidence now.

Q. Confidence, how do you feel now about the Australian Open?

SOONWOO KWON: I don't know, really tough. I have a match Monday, so I don't know. Just I will do my best next week.

Q. After losing in qualifying, would you believe that you would be here tonight as the champion?

SOONWOO KWON: (Laughing) I don't know, just dreams come true now. I will change name: Just Lucky Loser.

Q. In 2003, Lee Hyung-taik won in Sydney. It's 20 years ago. Did you ever know him? Did you ever see him play?

SOONWOO KWON: Yeah, I know him. We had a little bit practice sometimes. He's my idol. Yeah, I know he played so good.

Q. In this tournament you beat two tricky Spaniard players, some of the toughest players to deal with. How did you cope with that?

SOONWOO KWON: Since being beaten in the preliminary round, I told myself I've got nothing to lose, and then I came all the way to the finals. And why not? I can put every energy into it, and that worked.