What the winner said
Form on the day: “He played with a lot of quality and a lot of precision, I had to run a lot and work for my points. After 6-4, I started to elevate the quality of my game, the quality of my forehand and also the backhand, at the end the level of my tennis, and I am happy.”
Big picture in Grand Slam pursuit: “There is always that kind of conviction and belief inside of me I can win a slam. That’s why I’m here. At this age I wouldn’t really be competing at the slams and continuing to play professional tennis if I didn’t believe that I possess quality to go all the way to the title match.
“Of course, hopes and beliefs and convictions are always high, I always aim for the highest star, so to say. But I’m being very conscious of the present moment and what needs to be done on a daily basis to build my form as the tournament progresses hopefully and then peak at the right time when it matters the most.”
Drive at this stage of his career: “It is becoming a little bit more challenging for me to push myself every single tournament to be really at the top. But in terms of my commitment, that hasn’t gone down, to be honest. Whatever my team and I agree on and whatever they want me to do, I do it. I show up every day on practice courts and gym and whatever I need to do fitness-wise, mental preparation, whatever it takes.”