MUBADALA CITI DC OPEN

August 4, 2024

Sebastian Korda

Press Conference

S. KORDA/F. Tiafoe

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Talk about some of the challenges of playing somebody like Frances in front of this kind of a crowd. What's that like for you?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I've played Frances in some -- we actually played once in the States. Once he gets going, once he gets the crowd going, he's one of the toughest players to play.

I tried to make it as boring and as normal as I possibly could. I didn't want him to start getting everyone involved. Yeah, he's a different player when he's really feeling it.

Q. It didn't seem like it affected you. What was the key to that?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I just kind of just tried to take care of my side of the court, didn't try to do anything crazy. Just tried to play simple.

Last time we played, we played on the grass, and I played a pretty good match as well. Tried to take some of those tactics that I used there and tried to use them today.

Q. A couple matches ago you were down a set, 5-2, two match points to Thanasi. You're sitting here now. What do you make of the week you've had?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I've stayed positive, I've stayed patient. Just hoped for good things to come.

I've been putting in the work. I've been trying to stay positive as much as I possibly can. Yeah, I would say I got pretty lucky against Thanasi. Just using the luck right now and going with it. Just try to be better than I was yesterday.

Q. Your dad won this tournament in '92. What does it mean to you to be competing in a final at a tournament that your dad won?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, it's pretty cool. I used to come here when I was like 14, 15. This is definitely one of my favorite tournaments. I love coming here. I have a pretty great connection to the city.

Just to play here is pretty special. To play my first final here, it's going to be pretty cool. Hopefully I can put my name up there along with my dad's.

Q. When you came here as a teenager, what was the context?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, my dad coached Radek Stepanek. Radek won the tournament here as well. I have a lot of history with this tournament. Used to do the whole kind of U.S. swing with him. This was always the first stop of the U.S. swing. Just tried to ball boy on court for him whenever he needed me during practice. It's pretty special to be able to finally play this tournament.

Q. A 500 final, the first opportunity for you to win at this level. What does that mean big picture?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I've had a ton of 250 finals. I've never had a 500. I made two semis of 500s before. This is definitely the biggest moment, I would say biggest final of my career. Really looking forward to it. It's going to be a lot of fun. Try to give it my all and we'll see what happens.

Q. What can you tell us about what you anticipate from Flavio tomorrow?

SEBASTIAN KORDA: Yeah, I mean, he gives it his all in every match. He can produce some crazy stuff. He's crazy quick. He's got a big game. I think he's also saved a couple match points this tournament. He's playing free. Hopefully it's going to be a good final tomorrow.