AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 27, 2024

Sam Schroder

Press Conference

S. SCHRODER/G. Sasson

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Sam, congratulations. Just tell us what the match was like and how does it feel to have that trophy in your possession once again?

SAM SCHRODER: Thank you. Yeah, well, I think at the start of the match I had a lot of stress because I didn't expect so many people to be there, to be honest (smiling). Of course they were all favored towards my opponent.

So the first few games I wasn't really feeling my strokes that well. I made some mistakes. My balls were going too flat and not deep enough. But I knew that after, I kind of relaxed a little bit, it would get better and better.

Very happy. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It's interesting to hear you say that about the crowd being there and it being maybe a little bit unusual, because you've played on Rod Laver Arena against Dylan before and it's been bigger crowds and you've navigated that before. What was different about today?

SAM SCHRODER: I think today it was, I'm not sure how to explain it, but just a different kind of feeling from the crowd. A lot more noise, I think. But all in all, in a positive way.

It wasn't really hindering me in the sense that I was getting irritated by it. Just the tension from wanting to win against him when there were so many people on his side was kind of tough in the beginning.

Q. How were you able to eventually get on top of him? I think the first set, I think a game or two into the second set, the match had been already going on for an hour but then you kind of accelerated away. What was the turning point for you?

SAM SCHRODER: Yeah, I think the first few games were very close and we were kind of breaking each other's serves the whole time. I think at 3-All I won my own service for the first time, and after that I kind of ran away with the match.

But I think it was still feeling-wise quite close during some points. Of course the last two games were quite close, as well. Could have gone either way, but I think in the end for me just going to the towel a lot of times, trying to get my breathing in control, and just thinking very specifically what I want to do with the next point was very important for me.

Q. You have won six Grand Slam singles titles now, and three of them have come here. You also made the final the year before that. Is there a particularly special thing for you about the Australian Open even though you've won at other Grand Slams too?

SAM SCHRODER: Yeah, I think I always feel very at home, very comfortable at the AO. Just very relaxed atmosphere.

I think mentally I'm always in a great space when I'm here. The weather is great, the food is great. People are very nice. The tournament run is perfectly done. I feel very happy as a player here.

I think it definitely helps me get in a good mindset as well, and then to take it on court is extra nice. Just being able to play very relaxed most of the time and just enjoying myself and having fun only contributes to my level even more.

THE MODERATOR: What's the celebration meal tonight?

SAM SCHRODER: The celebration meal, I think we're probably going to, hopefully they will have some Canadian Dry, I think it's called. I think usually we get a burger or pina colada. I think they will have some good snacks for us, as well, yeah.