Oh my God, I feel like I have messed it up already. Well, I think I played a great, a spectacular match from the beginning to the end. (CROWD JEERING)
What am I doing here? I mean what am I doing here? I don’t know what his tactic was, but I was pressing a lot with…(LAUGHTER)
I can just leave if you want me to? That was the last thing I expecting playing at Rod Laver Arena is everyone laughing at me.
That is the point, you played so well against a player who has been playing great. It has been a long off season for players. Longer than usual. Are you surprised as how well you are playing or are you practising and that is sort of the trajectory that you have been playing on.
I guess, yes, I was surprised. Let’s keep it at that. I felt good with my service games. I think I have been returning really well, have a clear picture of where I want to return at the start of the point so I think I get the upper hand from the very beginning of the rally which gives me a lot of the rally which gives me a lot of confidence and I know I can press a lot with my forehand and, you know, create also damage from the backhand side, down the line backhand which is my favourite shot. It has been giving a lot of points and once it is there if honestly feel very comfort playing anyone.
You are looking comfortable for sure out there, except for this interview. It is really awkward. What is lovely, honestly, it is so lovely to see all of you here. It is so lovely for the tennis world to experience fans again. We have missed you. You have been playing in New York, you been in Paris and London in places where normally they are full houses. What has it been like for you to have this audience which obviously adores you even if they don’t like your answer in this interview?
Well, let’s keep it that way. Whenever I come here I feel a great afinty with the people here and they provide so much support. They give so much positive energy and in tennis that helps a lot. Knowing that I have a community, people that come and support me annually which is a great thing. It is the happy slam for a reason. The people make it a happy slam. I feel Melbournians are very welcoming people. Not only, the whole country of Australia has been welcoming. They are a very proud country and held one of the best events in the world.
Agreed, hear, hear. You will be back in a couple of days’ time. Your opponent is going to be an Australian, Thanasi Kokkinakis. Also has some Greek heritage. Which way is the crowd going to do go? You get a lot of support but you are playing an Aussie. What do you think, will they be with our Kokkinakis?
Yeah, this is going to be, I don’t know. I have known Kokkinakis for a long time, we practice a lot of times and I know him very well. He is a really nice guy but that won’t really matter on the court. (LAUGHTER)
You just keep digging a hole, my man, you just keep digging.
He got a great comeback. I saw his match before, it seems like he is in good shape. I think he’s a good coach now as well, Mark Philippoussis if I am not wrong? I might be wrong, I don’t know. So, yeah, his game is there. Obviously I’ll take him seriously. Every match in a Grand Slam is very important and whenever I go out there, no matter who I am playing, it doesn’t matter I am just trying to give them my best and put the best version of myself, the best Stefanos out on the court. I am expecting a big fight.
–
