“Carlos held a press conference after the finals of the herbal Major in London”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
– It is always unpleasant to lose. I think the defeat in the finale is even worse. But in general, I am very proud of what I did in the last four weeks on the grass here in London. I went out of the court with a high head, because he did everything he could. I just played against the opponent who showed incredible tennis. Therefore, it is a little sad because of the defeat, but the head is still high.
– It seemed that you were not in your plate today.
– Today everything was a little more complicated. A low percentage of first inning, and I played one of the best hosts in the round. It was a component that I would like to improve. But because of the nerves and everything else, it was difficult to serve better, so I just need to work on it.
– The last time you lost the Great Final at the Olympics last summer. Then the recovery took time. What did you learn from that moment and how will you apply it now?
– Honestly, it’s another feeling. At the Olympics I was very depressed emotionally after the match. It was very difficult for me to take this defeat. But last year, I went through different situations and put lessons out of them. Now I am in a position where I have told myself several times that I accept everything that comes, what it is.
Yes, I lost the finale of the Grand Slam tournament, but I am proud to reach it. I want to keep good moments in memory and try to forget the bad ones. I do not think that I lost the finale, but about what he played in it. I just want to accept it. So now I’m not upset at all. I’m happy, I smile because it was the main thing for me to play in the finale and be grateful for it.
– Rivalry with Yannik – what does it mean and where do you think it is moving?
– First of all, I am very glad that we have this rivalry with him. I think it is great for both us and tennis. Every time we play with each other, the game level is very high.
Honestly, I do not see other players show the level of playing one against each other. This rivalry is getting stronger. We play the finals of Grand Slam tournaments, masters. And it will only get better. I am very grateful for this because it makes me teach 100% at every workout every day to get better. Because the level I need to maintain and even raise to play a Yannik is very high. I am grateful for that.
– After severe defeat in Paris, Yannik quickly recovered. Did it surprise you?
– No, it was not surprised at all. I know he is a wonderful player and a real champion. Champions learn, I do not want to call it “failures”, on defeat. I knew that he would draw conclusions from that finale and would not repeat the same mistakes on Rolan Harros. Today he played at a very high level, and it was not a surprise. I knew he would play that way. Everything was solved by small details. In general, he did not surprise me because I know he was a great champion.
– How did you feel physically in this match? It seemed in the middle of the meeting you had an energy decline.
– No, I did not feel a physical decline. Everything was that he pressed on me in every draw. Sometimes it is mentally very difficult to maintain a concentration and a high level throughout the match, especially when the opponent shows such stunning tennis.
At some times, I just didn’t know what to do. From the back line he played better and I couldn’t do anything about it. The key was my second feed. He took my second innings very well and immediately went on the attack. It is the feeling that you are all the time protecting and running from side to side. But physically I felt well.
– What would you like to improve by the next meeting with him?
– The coatings are very different. Today, the second ball was especially important on the grass. I gave him too many free points when he filed from the second inning. He has a powerful first feed, it is obvious. I tried to accept it and win the draw, but it is very difficult. And when I had a chance to take a second feed, I had to do more. I had to return better, try to go to the attack after taking.
I felt that he easily holds his serving and wins his games. I did not press on him to get nervous on his inning. I think that is where I need to be better. In general, the match was excellent. The level of play on both sides was very high. I think this has become the main difference between us today.
