“The leader of the World Rating of the ATR held a press conference after the trophy at Wimbledon-2025”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
– I think it was the main thing for you to win Wimbledon, but how important it was for you to defeat Carlos in this rivalry?
– Yes, it is, of course, important. When you lose several times the same rival, it is difficult. But at the same time, I always felt that each of our match was close. If you look at all our matches then in Beijing was 7: 6 in the third, in Rome I had Setball in the first party and I didn’t realize it, then Paris [Ролан Гаррос] And all that happened there. But I felt we were always playing close. And I never lower my hands. I continue to look at Carlos as an example, because even today he did some things better than me. And we will work on it. He wants to catch up again. And not only he is all. We now have a big target, so we have to be ready and watch what will happen next.
– Are you surprised by the level you reached after returning from disqualification? If you were told in February or March that you would play in the final Rolan Harros and win Wimbledon – what would you answer?
– I would not believe. Because even with the best preparation to get into the final stages of Grand Slam is very difficult. And standing here as a finalist in Paris was already something big, because everything was not easy. And win Wimbledon. It is at all incredible. But at the same time I tried to believe in myself and accept what happened. And there is only one way to become better as a player. If you make efforts every day, you have a better chance of winning. That’s what we did. And now we will work even more, because there will be players who want to catch up. You need to be prepared.
– Congratulations. Your second feed was an important factor. What do you think was the key in the match?
– The difference was minimal, very small details. Today I was just lucky, I got in the line. The fact that in Paris was in his direction, today went to mine. In the beginning, we both served, but at the same time it was difficult to accept the second feed. Then I found a rhythm on the first feed, especially in the second and third set. In the fourth there were times when I filed well and then there were difficulties again. When you play 3-4 hours, it is impossible to keep the same level all the time. So the difference was quite tiny, and today everything happened in my favor.
– How proud of how you coped after the defeat in the finale Rolan Harros? Darren [Кехілл – тренер Янніка] said he would not be able to do what you did.
– Very. This is probably what I am most proud of. Because it was really not easy. I always try to be honest with myself, I had an internal dialogue: “What if …?” And I always tried to accept what happened. This can happen. And if you lose the Grand Slam final as I am, it’s better than losing one gate by winning two games. And then you need to continue. I worked with great intensity because I felt that I could play very well. That’s why I said after Paris and I should not write off. Another makeor ahead.
– About rivalry with Carlos. It is clear that you want to win always, but is it pleasing to you that you have a rival that you can go with this path together and compare yourself? And did it cause your progress?
– Yes, of course. This is more related to emotions and motivation. When you have someone who is young and wins almost everything. You should be ready if you want to keep up. I am glad that we continue to show that our work is being fruitful and that we have the right labor ethics. This is the most important thing – to get a better version. I do not think that it has already reached its peak, because it is impossible to be at the age of 23. I hope I can continue to progress. But it is important to have such rivals, because they make you think, work and teach you daily.
– Six previous matches with Carlos: you won on Hardy, he is on the ground. How much to defeat it here on his favorite cover?
– This is not something that excites me, but … Of course, my favorite cover is hard. There I won most of my titles. But I always knew that I could play well on other coverings. At the beginning of my career, I realized that my blows are flat enough, the ball is going well on the grass. Soil is another matter. There I felt that I was not physically pulled. But this year everything was different. I played with Carlos for five and a half hours, it was very physically. It was a step forward. And winning Wimbledon is the most special. I do not tie it with the coating. Wimbledon – it is just special.
