AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2025

Andy Lapthorne

Sam Schroder

Press Conference

LAPTHONRE-SCHRODER/Sasson-Vink

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Just could you both tell us about maybe the overwhelming emotion and also who is the first person that you have both told about this great win? Sam, we'll start with you.

SAM SCHRODER: Yeah, it's amazing to win again today. I think especially considering our first match this week. We barely survived that. Yesterday was a great level, and today I think even better than yesterday.

Really tough opponents, so really happy to win together. For me I have family watching at home, so they know. I'll definitely share with some more people later and get to celebrate.

THE MODERATOR: Andy.

ANDY LAPTHORNE: Yeah, I mean, amazing. We were underdogs going into the match today because the two guys that are on the other side of the net. Yeah, unbelievable to come out and play again together. The contrast in styles really working well and gelling and getting used to each other.

Then when I hurt my wrist and I think it was end of the first or start of the second, Sam did a great job of coming over and trying to take a few more balls.

Yeah, for me I haven't even looked at my phone yet because, yeah, it will be carnage.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Guys, congratulations on winning today. Well-deserved. Sam, first, I'll start with you. Ironically, Niels was on the other side of the net to you. You've had so much success with him in the past. Did it feel any, I guess, different with him on the other side, the fact that you're the one that's instead of the success being joint, like, you know, now that you've obviously won this?

SAM SCHRODER: Yeah. No, I think one of the big differences is, of course Niels' playing style and Andy's playing style. We had to adjust in the beginning. I think our playing style can work really well together as well.

Also, mentally the way they're going to want to play, I know that because I've been playing with Niels for so long that I know what kind of playing style he has.

Obviously you also just prove that we made a good team and we made a good switch and that it's worth the effort that we put in now. You get the trophy now, and it's definitely confirmed.

Q. Sam, Andy said on court that you were looking for a new coach. Has anybody applied?

SAM SCHRODER: Sorry?

Q. How do we apply?

SAM SCHRODER: Well, anyone who is willing can send an email to me. Like Andy said, I don't have a coach currently, so I'm definitely going to be looking, going to be looking for one.

So it's tough conditions now. But I've had the support of the Dutch Federation, who I'm really grateful for, and Andy's team, really grateful that we're able to achieve these great goals together.

Q. Obviously you've got the singles final tomorrow. Does today's match have any bearing on tomorrow's final?

SAM SCHRODER: Well, I think it's always great to win match and have another match the day after. I have a good feeling after today the way I've been hitting today, the way I've been moving around on court today. Just really had a great focus today, and I think I'll definitely be able to keep that up for tomorrow.

Q. How much have you practiced together?

ANDY LAPTHORNE: I would say single figures. Yeah, single figures. Since we've been in Australia really, and we're hoping, obviously as the Netherlands and England are not too far apart, so we're hoping to get together more often as the year moves forward.

But I feel like, yeah, some of those early matches, definitely as the tour goes, kick up the backside that we need to do have some conversations to really nail down where we're both at and what we both want to do. I feel like the last two matches have shown us the way forward.

Now I feel like the next time we meet, which will be in the States, we'll be a lot more comfortable, a lot more quicker, which will mean then straightaway in the practice sessions we know what we're aiming to do.

Q. Were you both surprised how well the first set in particular went today?

ANDY LAPTHORNE: Yeah, I mean, for me I said to Sam actually when we were a set down and then I think it was 4-All in the first match, and we had a bit of luck on the deuce point, the guy pushed right under, smash, and it bounced over his head, and we went 5-4 up.

I said, Sam, if we get through this set, we'll win the tournament. Just from the experience and being in that position before where I know that sometimes those matches, you need those matches sometimes, like I said, to give you that kick to then go right.

How do we sort this out? How do we get it right? And I know that with Sam next to me and my game style and his game style, it's very much Yin and Yang, and it makes it difficult for the other team to do what they want to do.

We just focus on what we're doing and irrelevant of the score. I wasn't shocked that it was 6-1. I know if we play the way we can, we can really hurt any team out there.

Q. Andy, I don't know if you know this, but this is your eighth Oz Open doubles title. You're within two of, yeah, long-time partner in David Wagner. Is there a goal or incentive, I suppose, to pass him, or is there any bragging rights or any bit of banter between the two of you guys?

ANDY LAPTHORNE: It's weird because you say eight, but I can still remember the one where we had match point, and I missed the volley. It's weird how this sport works.

Yeah, David is a great friend of mine. He's been a great partner of mine for many years. Listen, if I can get to any of his records, I'm doing it right because he's got pretty much all of them, especially on the doubles court. So if I can get anywhere near him, that would be amazing.

Look, hopefully me and Sam can make this work this year, and then we're flying, and we come back here next year to try and defend.

As for me, look, I said it at the Paralympics that it's close for me to being towards the end. We'll see how we go. Like, I'm not setting any targets or anything like that. I'm hoping to carry on for as long as possible, but I am getting older, and the body is feeling it. Who knows what's around the corner.

Definitely if I get the chance and the body allows me, I'll be trying to get to 10, 11, 12 hopefully. Then, yeah, Sam will have to find a new partner.

Q. Andy, are you still planning on getting back for the football on Sunday?

ANDY LAPTHORNE: That's the plan. My flight, I think, is at 11 p.m. tomorrow. If I'm not delayed, then I'll get straight in a car and drive up to Philippa. If not, hopefully I've got the week off and maybe go to the training ground and show the trophy off, meet some of the boys.

I had some messages from Vladimir Coufal last night, which was really nice. He just WhatsApped me saying he's watching and good luck and stuff. Yeah, they've been amazing to me.

A couple of guys from the media team have messaged me saying good luck and saying that they're watching. It's just really nice to have the support of the fans of the club and the people within the club. Yeah, it drives me on.