THE MODERATOR: Was there anything that surprised you in Jenson’s game tonight?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: The amount of net cords he hit, was able to bring into the other side of the court, that’s for sure. I think that’s an incredible skill. And I don’t know what else. I honestly think I wasn’t able to get to 100%.
I don’t know. I really don’t know.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. What makes him tricky to play?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I don’t think there’s something that makes him tricky to play.
Q. What makes him difficult to play?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Putting balls back. That’s what makes him difficult.
Q. Were you having problems with your feet? Anything physical? Changing your shoes, adjusting.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: Oh, yeah, I mean, I didn’t wear these pair of shoes. It’s very difficult sometimes having played with one shoes you’ve been playing with for the last eight days, then having a new pair that’s harder and stiffer. It’s a big adjustment for the feet.
I didn’t go for it. I think it was really unlucky from my side that it happened that part of the game after coming back from 40-Love on his serve. It kind of ruined the momentum on my side.
Q. The shoe broke or something?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: The shoelace. It’s always the shoelace that breaks. It usually happens on dropshots. I have this thing that I do with my feet, if you check it in slow motion, you’ll see it, where I twist my foot on the other direction. That pretty much grinds and kills the shoelace that is on the outside part.
Q. Talk about the first set, then what changed in the second. Did he switch things up or did you lose your way a little bit?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I’m not very concerned, to be honest. I knew what I did, but I have been doing for a few days now. I just need to remove it and continue the way I’ve been playing before. That’s it.
Q. In terms of Jenson’s ability to get the ball back, is it his anticipation, his speed, ability to turn defense into offense?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: He’s not a very explosive player, but he’s able to get balls back. He’s not the most athletic player, as well. He’s just able to read the game well, play with his pace, play with the opponent’s pace. He’s able to read the game well and stay consistent.
There’s nothing that he has that kills, I would say.
Q. How do you feel about your year so far?
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS: I mean, there are two sides to it. There’s a side where I’m playing, it’s way better than I would ever have thought. The fact that I’m playing on court, it brings me the biggest happiness and joy for a very long time, having suffered with chronic elbow problems.
Honestly I’m not very frustrated. My arm is good. I’m happy I’m on the court playing. I’m happy I’m competing. I’m motivated. I want to achieve things this year. I’ll see where I can bring that, where I can reach.
I really hope I can do well in big tournaments. But of course with the things that I’ve had before, I’m much more appreciative. I don’t see any negative sides to anything. Whichever loss might come, whichever day that I might suffer, I look back to the worst days that I had before and I’m pretty much grateful that I’m able to live my life the way I live it now.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
