1 00:00:02,380 --> 00:00:05,279 Speaker 1: Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of The Sit Down. 2 00:00:05,500 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for AusOpen.com. 3 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:10,800 Speaker 2: And I'm Viv Christie, Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 4 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:13,260 Speaker 1: And Viv, why are we sitting down this week with 5 00:00:13,420 --> 00:00:14,180 Speaker 1: Alex Mickelson? 6 00:00:14,660 --> 00:00:17,460 Speaker 3: We're sitting down with Alex, Matt, because he has had 7 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:22,550 Speaker 3: a fantastic season in 2024. He's reached two ATP finals, 8 00:00:22,750 --> 00:00:25,970 Speaker 3: cracked the world's top 50, and he's one of the 9 00:00:26,230 --> 00:00:29,450 Speaker 3: eight young players competing in the ATP Next Gen Finals 10 00:00:29,490 --> 00:00:29,990 Speaker 3: this week. 11 00:00:30,250 --> 00:00:32,170 Speaker 1: Yeah, and we were lucky enough to catch Alex just 12 00:00:32,210 --> 00:00:34,270 Speaker 1: a few weeks before he headed off to Jeddah. We 13 00:00:34,290 --> 00:00:36,010 Speaker 1: got him when he was on a training week in 14 00:00:36,070 --> 00:00:38,530 Speaker 1: California and we got to meet someone who was, he 15 00:00:38,550 --> 00:00:40,350 Speaker 1: was a great talker. He had a really good story. 16 00:00:40,390 --> 00:00:43,230 Speaker 1: He was really generous with his time. And yeah, we 17 00:00:43,270 --> 00:00:45,160 Speaker 1: really enjoyed it and learned a lot about him. So 18 00:00:45,300 --> 00:00:46,779 Speaker 1: we hope you guys do enjoy it too. 19 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:52,379 Speaker 3: Alex, thank you for joining us on The Sit Down. 20 00:00:52,460 --> 00:00:54,660 Speaker 3: It's great that you're joining us, I think, from your 21 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 3: home in California. It must be nice to have a 22 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 3: week or so off from the tour. 23 00:00:58,970 --> 00:01:01,430 Speaker 4: Yeah, I did okay in the last tournament over in 24 00:01:01,450 --> 00:01:05,310 Speaker 4: Metz and then I took about 10 days off. And yeah, 25 00:01:05,390 --> 00:01:08,740 Speaker 4: today's my second day back training. So I had to 26 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 4: get going pretty quick again because I got to go 27 00:01:10,340 --> 00:01:11,780 Speaker 4: to Saudi Arabia pretty soon. 28 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,300 Speaker 5: So I had to get started quickly. 29 00:01:15,020 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 3: It's been an incredible season for you. You've peaked just 30 00:01:17,910 --> 00:01:20,209 Speaker 3: outside the top 40 and I think you're currently sitting 31 00:01:20,530 --> 00:01:21,690 Speaker 3: at number 42. 32 00:01:21,690 --> 00:01:23,270 Speaker 2: What's been the highlight for you this year? 33 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:25,970 Speaker 5: Um, it's been, it's been a good season. A lot of, 34 00:01:25,970 --> 00:01:26,690 Speaker 5: a lot of ups and downs. 35 00:01:26,709 --> 00:01:28,330 Speaker 4: I know that's a very cliche thing to say, but 36 00:01:28,350 --> 00:01:30,190 Speaker 4: I mean, at the clay, the clay season, I barely 37 00:01:30,209 --> 00:01:30,890 Speaker 4: won any matches. 38 00:01:31,230 --> 00:01:32,690 Speaker 5: Um, it was, it was tough for me, even the 39 00:01:32,709 --> 00:01:34,670 Speaker 5: grass season, which I like grass. I didn't do great. 40 00:01:34,690 --> 00:01:37,530 Speaker 4: And then I came back over to America final, the Newport. 41 00:01:37,550 --> 00:01:40,110 Speaker 4: That was, that was a highlight defending my points and highlighting. 42 00:01:40,830 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 4: Defending my points and finaling was, uh, cause I finaled 43 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 4: last year as well. So that, that was, uh, that 44 00:01:45,540 --> 00:01:47,780 Speaker 4: was really good for, for the confidence as well. And 45 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,740 Speaker 4: then I kind of took that, um, had a great 46 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,490 Speaker 4: American summer quarter, D.C., um, got the finals of doubles 47 00:01:53,550 --> 00:01:53,950 Speaker 4: in Cincy. 48 00:01:53,970 --> 00:01:54,690 Speaker 5: That was a lot of fun. 49 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 4: Um, yeah, I think just the, the whole American swing 50 00:01:58,380 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 4: for me was, was, was great. I was in Europe 51 00:02:00,260 --> 00:02:03,140 Speaker 4: for three months. So coming back home and playing, playing 52 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 4: in front of a home crowd was, uh, it was 53 00:02:05,060 --> 00:02:06,050 Speaker 4: nice to do for a while. 54 00:02:06,910 --> 00:02:07,330 Speaker 2: For sure. 55 00:02:07,690 --> 00:02:08,090 Speaker 5: Amazing. 56 00:02:08,290 --> 00:02:10,149 Speaker 1: And so, as you said, you're about to head to 57 00:02:10,230 --> 00:02:12,410 Speaker 1: Jeddah for the next gen final. So this is the 58 00:02:12,450 --> 00:02:15,310 Speaker 1: second time you're going, but you, I guess, arrive in 59 00:02:15,330 --> 00:02:17,370 Speaker 1: a bit of a, different place in your career where 60 00:02:17,389 --> 00:02:18,750 Speaker 1: it was all new last year and you were just 61 00:02:18,790 --> 00:02:20,990 Speaker 1: inside the top hundred. Now you're where you are and 62 00:02:21,010 --> 00:02:23,109 Speaker 1: you'll be the second seed. So yeah. What does it 63 00:02:23,130 --> 00:02:24,850 Speaker 1: mean to qualify for that again? And what will you 64 00:02:24,889 --> 00:02:26,620 Speaker 1: take into, into this experience? 65 00:02:28,030 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 4: Yeah. Well, obviously the experience of playing last year is 66 00:02:30,980 --> 00:02:32,339 Speaker 4: going to help me out this year. Cause last year 67 00:02:32,380 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 4: I was, you know, I just turned pro in like 68 00:02:34,260 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 4: August and it all kind of came very quickly at me. And, um, 69 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 4: I wasn't ready to, you know, perform at a stage 70 00:02:39,580 --> 00:02:42,500 Speaker 4: like that. And I think now, um, you know, got 71 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:44,900 Speaker 4: a whole year of experience, whole year, like on the 72 00:02:44,940 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 4: main tour. to use his experience when I go to 73 00:02:48,780 --> 00:02:50,570 Speaker 4: Saudi Arabia this year. So I can only do better. 74 00:02:50,590 --> 00:02:52,270 Speaker 4: I went 0-3 last year. I can only do better 75 00:02:52,310 --> 00:02:54,870 Speaker 4: this time around. So I'm really looking forward to going 76 00:02:54,889 --> 00:02:56,850 Speaker 4: back and giving it my all. I have some unfinished 77 00:02:56,870 --> 00:02:57,769 Speaker 4: business over there for sure. 78 00:02:57,790 --> 00:02:58,530 Speaker 5: Awesome. 79 00:02:58,950 --> 00:03:01,250 Speaker 1: And it's got a pretty impressive honor roll of champions. 80 00:03:01,330 --> 00:03:04,060 Speaker 1: So like Sina, Alcaraz, Sitsipas, they've all won it before. 81 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 1: What would it mean for you to join them potentially? 82 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, that would be absolutely epic. I mean, those guys 83 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,580 Speaker 4: are all stick at tennis. I mean, that would be 84 00:03:12,660 --> 00:03:14,740 Speaker 4: awesome if I Got to put my name on that 85 00:03:14,780 --> 00:03:16,340 Speaker 4: list with them. That would be, that means I'm doing 86 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 4: something right. So I think that would just be an 87 00:03:18,940 --> 00:03:20,220 Speaker 4: absolute honor if I could just put my name on 88 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 4: that list. 89 00:03:21,340 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: It's also pretty amazing the names that are kind of 90 00:03:23,340 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: around you on the race to Jeddah. So the, you know, 91 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:29,620 Speaker 1: the 21 and under list, it's led by Artafiz and 92 00:03:29,650 --> 00:03:34,070 Speaker 1: there's also Jakob Mensig, Jerry Shang, Luna Tian, Luca Van Asch, 93 00:03:34,550 --> 00:03:38,150 Speaker 1: Joao Fonseca, like, and you, that's a pretty cool crop 94 00:03:38,210 --> 00:03:40,910 Speaker 1: of players that have gotten lots of fans excited. What 95 00:03:40,930 --> 00:03:42,830 Speaker 1: do you think of this current generation that you're coming 96 00:03:42,870 --> 00:03:43,150 Speaker 1: up with? 97 00:03:44,470 --> 00:03:44,650 Speaker 4: Yeah. 98 00:03:44,670 --> 00:03:46,890 Speaker 5: I mean, everyone you said is, is very good. 99 00:03:46,910 --> 00:03:49,350 Speaker 4: Um, I haven't played fees yet, but obviously I think 100 00:03:49,380 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 4: he's won a couple of 500s this year. He's playing sick. Um, 101 00:03:52,940 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 4: I played a men's sick and Jerry, I played him 102 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:57,839 Speaker 4: at juniors actually. And on the, I haven't played men's 103 00:03:57,860 --> 00:03:59,540 Speaker 4: sick on the main tour, but I've played, I played 104 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:01,620 Speaker 4: them both in juniors, um, plenty of times that they 105 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:05,540 Speaker 4: were very, very good. Um, and then I just train with, 106 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,060 Speaker 4: I train with learner. I just got done training with 107 00:04:07,100 --> 00:04:09,650 Speaker 4: him earlier today. So, um, you know, that'll be, that'll 108 00:04:09,660 --> 00:04:10,930 Speaker 4: be fun to play that and play that with. 109 00:04:10,990 --> 00:04:12,390 Speaker 5: It'd be interesting if we get to play each other. 110 00:04:12,430 --> 00:04:16,010 Speaker 4: So, Well, we'll see. But yeah, I'm super happy that 111 00:04:16,029 --> 00:04:18,230 Speaker 4: he's doing great as well. He's a very close friend 112 00:04:18,250 --> 00:04:20,969 Speaker 4: for me. So to see him doing great is amazing. 113 00:04:21,010 --> 00:04:24,810 Speaker 4: And then Fonseca absolutely whacked me in Madrid. I know 114 00:04:24,850 --> 00:04:28,210 Speaker 4: he can play. He's going to be sick. He reminds 115 00:04:28,250 --> 00:04:31,380 Speaker 4: me of a mini-sitter. The way he hits the ball 116 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 4: is kind of the same. I've played them both. The 117 00:04:33,180 --> 00:04:35,500 Speaker 4: way they hit the ball, you don't come by that 118 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 4: very often. So yeah, this group of guys, it's going 119 00:04:39,980 --> 00:04:41,780 Speaker 4: to be tough to do well this year for sure. 120 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:42,830 Speaker 4: But I'm looking forward to it. 121 00:04:43,300 --> 00:04:46,160 Speaker 1: Do you see that group of players as your main 122 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: rivals or are you looking at like other people to 123 00:04:48,140 --> 00:04:50,780 Speaker 1: like compare yourself against or that you're targeting like a 124 00:04:50,820 --> 00:04:52,700 Speaker 1: good record against? I'm not sure how you approach that. 125 00:04:53,940 --> 00:04:55,260 Speaker 4: I mean, I don't really think of like too many 126 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 4: people as my rivals just because I haven't played too 127 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,690 Speaker 4: many people more than like twice. You know, I mean, 128 00:05:02,130 --> 00:05:04,010 Speaker 4: I guess you could say they're my rivals just because 129 00:05:04,110 --> 00:05:07,330 Speaker 4: we're close in age and I'll probably be seeing plenty 130 00:05:07,350 --> 00:05:08,750 Speaker 4: of these guys for the next 10 years and I'll 131 00:05:08,770 --> 00:05:10,849 Speaker 4: probably play them all, you know, I'll probably play them 132 00:05:10,870 --> 00:05:14,070 Speaker 4: all like seven times at least. So, I mean, I 133 00:05:14,110 --> 00:05:16,490 Speaker 4: think now, no, but I think in the future that 134 00:05:16,610 --> 00:05:18,029 Speaker 4: plenty of them will be my rivals. Yeah. 135 00:05:18,670 --> 00:05:18,870 Speaker 5: Cool. 136 00:05:20,589 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 3: Um, Alex, it's obviously a pretty exciting time for American 137 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:27,700 Speaker 3: tennis right now. Um, are you close to, to many 138 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 3: of the other American players on tour? 139 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,299 Speaker 4: Well, um, yeah, I would say so. I mean, closer 140 00:05:33,500 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 4: with them than anyone else. Um, you know, Fritz is, uh, 141 00:05:36,060 --> 00:05:38,620 Speaker 4: also from SoCal. So I, uh, you know, hit with 142 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 4: them a little bit when I was like a, when 143 00:05:40,060 --> 00:05:42,300 Speaker 4: I was a kid and, uh, say just being around, 144 00:05:42,339 --> 00:05:42,900 Speaker 4: I was really cool. 145 00:05:42,940 --> 00:05:44,280 Speaker 5: And now he's four in the world, which is, uh, 146 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:45,940 Speaker 5: which is amazing. I'm glad he's doing so good. 147 00:05:46,860 --> 00:05:49,300 Speaker 4: Um, and then I'm definitely, I played doubles, but it's 148 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,330 Speaker 4: very like Korda and Mackie. Um, those guys are great. Uh, 149 00:05:53,350 --> 00:05:56,130 Speaker 4: they're all also. And then you got Ben is playing great. 150 00:05:56,150 --> 00:05:57,950 Speaker 4: You got Tommy is playing great. You got Francis. All 151 00:05:57,970 --> 00:05:59,550 Speaker 4: those guys are kind of knocking on the door for, 152 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 4: for top 10 and they're all in like the top 15. 153 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 4: So I think we're, uh, we're, our depth is very 154 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 4: good right now as well. We got someone in the 155 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 4: top five and we have very good depth. I'm like 156 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,220 Speaker 4: the sixth ranked American, Nate, and I'm 42 in the world. 157 00:06:11,260 --> 00:06:14,020 Speaker 5: That's not, that's not too bad. I think, I think 158 00:06:14,060 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 5: American tennis is doing great right now. 159 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:19,539 Speaker 3: There's actually five men in the world's top 25, five 160 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:20,580 Speaker 3: American men, I should say. 161 00:06:20,980 --> 00:06:24,290 Speaker 2: How inspiring is that for you? 162 00:06:24,310 --> 00:06:24,390 Speaker 1: Yeah. 163 00:06:24,410 --> 00:06:26,130 Speaker 4: I mean, to see all those guys, you know, all 164 00:06:26,150 --> 00:06:28,130 Speaker 4: of my fellow Americans doing that great. I mean, it 165 00:06:28,150 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 4: shows I can do it too, right? That's, uh, That's 166 00:06:30,220 --> 00:06:31,660 Speaker 4: kind of the whole point of seeing someone from your 167 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 4: country or your area. You know, they do that well 168 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:35,980 Speaker 4: and you kind of look at that and draw inspiration 169 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:36,230 Speaker 4: from it. 170 00:06:36,260 --> 00:06:37,060 Speaker 5: I think it's great. Yeah. 171 00:06:37,900 --> 00:06:41,580 Speaker 3: Speaking of American tennis, you're currently coached by Robbie Ginepry, 172 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,270 Speaker 3: I believe. So what is that like and what's he 173 00:06:45,290 --> 00:06:46,010 Speaker 3: brought to your game? 174 00:06:46,770 --> 00:06:48,750 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, to be able to draw, you know, from 175 00:06:48,790 --> 00:06:50,410 Speaker 4: someone else's experience. I mean, he sent me the US 176 00:06:50,470 --> 00:06:52,030 Speaker 4: Open once and he got to, I think, 14 or 177 00:06:52,029 --> 00:06:54,390 Speaker 4: 15 in the world. So be able to draw from 178 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,099 Speaker 4: experience from someone like that is great. We've worked on, 179 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,140 Speaker 4: you know, becoming a little more offensive because I'm a 180 00:06:59,160 --> 00:06:59,660 Speaker 4: pretty big guy. 181 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:01,779 Speaker 5: I'm like 6'4. I got to play. 182 00:07:01,860 --> 00:07:03,340 Speaker 4: I feel like I move okay and I can play 183 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 4: defense good, but I definitely need to improve in the 184 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:07,300 Speaker 4: offense because I'm a big guy and I need to 185 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:10,060 Speaker 4: play some more offense. And he's been helping me with that. 186 00:07:10,260 --> 00:07:13,020 Speaker 4: And yeah, it's been great. I've done pretty well with him. 187 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:14,300 Speaker 4: So I'm excited. Yeah. 188 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:16,580 Speaker 1: Has that come naturally, that kind of change where you're 189 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,740 Speaker 1: like forcing yourself to be offensive where maybe your instinct 190 00:07:19,780 --> 00:07:20,780 Speaker 1: is to be a bit more defensive? 191 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:22,180 Speaker 5: Uh, I mean, I. 192 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,780 Speaker 4: Definitely have to think about it, you know, just, you know, 193 00:07:24,980 --> 00:07:27,150 Speaker 4: consciously think about it all the time. Um, at least 194 00:07:27,170 --> 00:07:28,390 Speaker 4: that's what I've been trying to do in practice these 195 00:07:28,410 --> 00:07:31,730 Speaker 4: last couple of days and, you know, months. Um, but 196 00:07:31,810 --> 00:07:35,050 Speaker 4: I feel like sometimes I'm, I can drop back behind 197 00:07:35,070 --> 00:07:37,290 Speaker 4: the baseline really easily and just like make a lot 198 00:07:37,330 --> 00:07:39,510 Speaker 4: of balls and against the guy, like the top guys, 199 00:07:39,570 --> 00:07:41,710 Speaker 4: it doesn't work because they can all, you know, hammer 200 00:07:41,750 --> 00:07:42,180 Speaker 4: you for that. 201 00:07:42,210 --> 00:07:45,260 Speaker 5: So I think, um, just knowing that and being able to, 202 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:45,660 Speaker 5: you know. 203 00:07:45,700 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 4: Play offense. And I feel like I, I can play 204 00:07:47,660 --> 00:07:48,420 Speaker 4: offense pretty good. 205 00:07:48,820 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 5: It comes naturally. 206 00:07:49,540 --> 00:07:51,730 Speaker 4: I just, I just, um, I feel like a defense 207 00:07:51,750 --> 00:07:55,420 Speaker 4: comes a little more naturally. So I think just having 208 00:07:55,540 --> 00:07:57,580 Speaker 4: that offensive mindset is the most important thing. 209 00:07:58,260 --> 00:08:02,940 Speaker 1: We've got options, which is good. But yeah, in terms 210 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,900 Speaker 1: of how you actually got started in tennis, so we 211 00:08:04,940 --> 00:08:07,360 Speaker 1: understand that both of your parents played college tennis. Is 212 00:08:07,380 --> 00:08:09,670 Speaker 1: that kind of how you got introduced to the sport 213 00:08:10,230 --> 00:08:11,770 Speaker 1: and where you are today? 214 00:08:12,270 --> 00:08:14,170 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, I actually don't remember starting tennis. 215 00:08:14,250 --> 00:08:16,150 Speaker 4: I was like three years old, like in my parents, 216 00:08:16,170 --> 00:08:17,430 Speaker 4: they kind of gave me a racket and I was 217 00:08:17,450 --> 00:08:18,510 Speaker 4: sitting backhands in the garage. 218 00:08:18,570 --> 00:08:20,190 Speaker 5: All I want to do is sit backhands apparently. 219 00:08:20,750 --> 00:08:22,150 Speaker 4: Which that's still what I want to do and sit 220 00:08:22,170 --> 00:08:24,950 Speaker 4: back and um but yeah so I was doing that 221 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,500 Speaker 4: until I was like six years old and then my 222 00:08:27,540 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 4: mom was like all right like we got to start 223 00:08:28,860 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 4: into four ends and I was like no but yeah 224 00:08:31,860 --> 00:08:34,579 Speaker 4: I um I hit with uh hit with my mom 225 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 4: a lot if I didn't you know I hit with 226 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:38,069 Speaker 4: her like four or five times a week she she 227 00:08:38,090 --> 00:08:40,410 Speaker 4: was she made a lot of balls and we hit 228 00:08:40,450 --> 00:08:41,949 Speaker 4: a lot of balls and that definitely gave me a 229 00:08:41,970 --> 00:08:44,590 Speaker 4: great date for where I'm at right now I definitely 230 00:08:44,610 --> 00:08:46,570 Speaker 4: wouldn't be here without without her how would my dad 231 00:08:46,590 --> 00:08:48,830 Speaker 4: help you but He was working, so I didn't, you know, 232 00:08:48,850 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 4: play as much as I did with my mom. But 233 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,059 Speaker 4: my parents helped me out tremendously, and there's not a 234 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:57,340 Speaker 4: chance I'd be here without them. Because they obviously introduced 235 00:08:57,360 --> 00:08:59,320 Speaker 4: me and trained me when I was younger. So, I mean, 236 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:01,059 Speaker 4: there's no way I would be here without them. 237 00:09:01,780 --> 00:09:05,630 Speaker 1: And you also considered potentially the college route yourself. But 238 00:09:05,670 --> 00:09:08,550 Speaker 1: as you said, you turned pro relatively recently. So, you know, 239 00:09:08,570 --> 00:09:10,449 Speaker 1: that's a decision that a lot of players have to 240 00:09:10,510 --> 00:09:12,990 Speaker 1: grapple with. And there's been pros and cons to both. 241 00:09:14,150 --> 00:09:15,290 Speaker 1: How did you land where you landed? 242 00:09:16,370 --> 00:09:18,110 Speaker 5: Yeah, well, the decision, I kind of made it to 243 00:09:18,150 --> 00:09:19,429 Speaker 5: where it was impossible to go to college. 244 00:09:19,450 --> 00:09:21,890 Speaker 4: So last year I was, I started the year at 245 00:09:21,890 --> 00:09:24,059 Speaker 4: 600 and I was, you know, obviously still supposed to 246 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 4: go to college. And then July rolls around, I'm like 250. 247 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,100 Speaker 4: And then I win the Challenger in Chicago and then 248 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,210 Speaker 4: final Newport. And then I was 140 and I had 249 00:09:32,250 --> 00:09:33,950 Speaker 4: a car, I had a walker into the US Open. So, 250 00:09:34,590 --> 00:09:36,450 Speaker 4: At that point, I was a no-brainer to turn pro. 251 00:09:36,929 --> 00:09:39,850 Speaker 4: And that's what I wanted to do really bad. I'm 252 00:09:40,330 --> 00:09:42,890 Speaker 4: not a big school guy, so I'm kind of glad 253 00:09:42,929 --> 00:09:44,540 Speaker 4: I didn't go to school. Obviously, I think college time 254 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 4: has been a blast. That team environment sounds amazing. But yeah, 255 00:09:48,860 --> 00:09:50,780 Speaker 4: going towards, you know, it's always like a childhood dream 256 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:52,380 Speaker 4: that I never really thought would become true. It was 257 00:09:52,420 --> 00:09:53,950 Speaker 4: never in the cards for me growing up at all. 258 00:09:54,270 --> 00:09:56,510 Speaker 4: I wasn't like one of these amazing players. So I 259 00:09:56,550 --> 00:09:58,729 Speaker 4: think just being able to experience all this is just 260 00:09:58,770 --> 00:09:59,949 Speaker 4: an absolute dream come true. 261 00:09:59,990 --> 00:10:00,750 Speaker 5: Awesome. 262 00:10:01,350 --> 00:10:03,310 Speaker 1: We read a really interesting piece. It was about this 263 00:10:03,350 --> 00:10:05,950 Speaker 1: time last year in tennis.com by Joel Drucker. And so 264 00:10:05,990 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 1: I think he spent a bit of time in California 265 00:10:07,630 --> 00:10:09,750 Speaker 1: with you, watching you train. He mentioned that you hit 266 00:10:09,790 --> 00:10:13,020 Speaker 1: with Lerner a lot. And one of your coaches described 267 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:17,110 Speaker 1: your game as jumbled. which was an interesting terminology. But yeah, 268 00:10:17,190 --> 00:10:19,490 Speaker 1: I guess it sounds like it's kind of evolved in 269 00:10:19,510 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: the 12 months since then. So kind of, yeah. And 270 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:23,100 Speaker 1: you alluded to, it was a bit of a blend 271 00:10:23,140 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 1: of offense and defense. How would you describe your game 272 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,620 Speaker 1: for someone that actually hasn't seen you play tennis? And 273 00:10:28,700 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: maybe have you like modeled it after someone? 274 00:10:30,900 --> 00:10:32,709 Speaker 4: No, I don't think I modeled after anyone, but I mean, 275 00:10:32,730 --> 00:10:34,490 Speaker 4: a year ago, my game was definitely jumbled. 276 00:10:34,750 --> 00:10:36,910 Speaker 5: I like, I was like six, four. My serve was 277 00:10:36,990 --> 00:10:37,530 Speaker 5: not good. 278 00:10:37,570 --> 00:10:40,550 Speaker 4: My forehand was like average and like my backhand was 279 00:10:40,570 --> 00:10:42,230 Speaker 4: like really good. And like, I just, I had, it 280 00:10:42,270 --> 00:10:44,130 Speaker 4: was kind of all over the place, um, with, in 281 00:10:44,170 --> 00:10:45,750 Speaker 4: terms of like how good, you know, certain things were. 282 00:10:45,770 --> 00:10:47,490 Speaker 4: And I feel like I've leveled it out and I've 283 00:10:47,530 --> 00:10:49,550 Speaker 4: got a lot of things better. Um, but I think 284 00:10:49,770 --> 00:10:52,150 Speaker 4: I would describe my game as like all core game. 285 00:10:52,190 --> 00:10:53,570 Speaker 4: I feel like I can do everything. I can come 286 00:10:53,590 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 4: to the net. I can play offense, play defense. Um, 287 00:10:56,630 --> 00:10:58,320 Speaker 4: you know, I, I feel like I can, I can 288 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 4: kind of do it all. I just need to improve, um, at, 289 00:11:01,059 --> 00:11:03,579 Speaker 4: you know, all the aspects, but I feel like I can, 290 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:04,079 Speaker 4: I can do it. 291 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,100 Speaker 5: I would say I have an all core game. 292 00:11:05,890 --> 00:11:07,949 Speaker 1: And we also read that in the last year you've 293 00:11:08,010 --> 00:11:11,390 Speaker 1: grown an extra inch, which, you know, what does that mean? 294 00:11:11,630 --> 00:11:13,490 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if that's true, but you said you 295 00:11:13,510 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: were 6'4. 296 00:11:14,690 --> 00:11:15,050 Speaker 5: Maybe. 297 00:11:15,150 --> 00:11:15,410 Speaker 4: Yeah. 298 00:11:15,470 --> 00:11:17,309 Speaker 1: But, I mean, that does create an adjustment if you're 299 00:11:17,330 --> 00:11:19,270 Speaker 1: dealing with, like, you know, longer levers or bigger height 300 00:11:19,290 --> 00:11:21,740 Speaker 1: or whatever when you, you know, a year or two 301 00:11:21,780 --> 00:11:23,959 Speaker 1: ago you weren't. So, like, yeah, what has that kind 302 00:11:23,980 --> 00:11:27,340 Speaker 1: of adjustment been like and what's the advantage of being 303 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 1: one of the bigger guys on tour? 304 00:11:28,260 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 4: Yeah. Yeah, I feel like I've always had pretty long levers. 305 00:11:31,580 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 4: I think, you know, that helps a lot with... One. 306 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:35,699 Speaker 5: Thing I think it helps a lot with is return. 307 00:11:35,780 --> 00:11:38,300 Speaker 4: I can just get my racket on more balls where, 308 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 4: you know, other guys maybe couldn't because their arms aren't 309 00:11:40,620 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 4: as long. Like, I have very long arms, which helps 310 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,780 Speaker 4: me out a lot. It helps to have the doubles court, too. 311 00:11:45,900 --> 00:11:48,700 Speaker 4: That's one of the reasons I think I'm okay at doubles. But, yeah, 312 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 4: it's definitely tough to move when you're, you know, 6'3, 6'4, 313 00:11:52,210 --> 00:11:53,809 Speaker 4: but I feel like I've always had pretty long levers, 314 00:11:53,830 --> 00:11:56,910 Speaker 4: so I wasn't, you know, like, short and then all 315 00:11:56,950 --> 00:11:59,150 Speaker 4: the stuff grew, so I feel like I've gotten used 316 00:11:59,190 --> 00:12:03,030 Speaker 4: to you know, and running around and bringing in with the, 317 00:12:03,150 --> 00:12:05,090 Speaker 4: with the long arms and long legs. So it's, there 318 00:12:05,130 --> 00:12:09,370 Speaker 4: hasn't been like a big adjustment for me, but I haven't, sorry, 319 00:12:09,450 --> 00:12:11,590 Speaker 4: I have been working on my movement a lot in. 320 00:12:11,570 --> 00:12:11,969 Speaker 5: The last year. 321 00:12:12,350 --> 00:12:12,650 Speaker 2: Okay. 322 00:12:13,390 --> 00:12:15,690 Speaker 1: And your, your idols listed as game on fees. And 323 00:12:15,730 --> 00:12:18,170 Speaker 1: so we just wanted, what, what do you love about 324 00:12:18,190 --> 00:12:18,510 Speaker 1: his game? 325 00:12:20,490 --> 00:12:22,079 Speaker 4: Well, I mean, the guy is one of the best 326 00:12:22,220 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 4: athletes to ever play tennis. I mean, the guy's so 327 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:26,300 Speaker 4: quick and jumps so high. I mean, it was always, 328 00:12:26,620 --> 00:12:28,610 Speaker 4: it was always fun to watch him playing like growing up. 329 00:12:28,660 --> 00:12:31,670 Speaker 4: I was just like, whenever he's on TV, I would 330 00:12:31,690 --> 00:12:33,569 Speaker 4: like stop doing my homework or whatever it was. And like, 331 00:12:33,590 --> 00:12:34,929 Speaker 4: I'd stay up late to watch and it was just 332 00:12:35,330 --> 00:12:37,230 Speaker 4: absolutely sick. And then I got to meet him and like, 333 00:12:37,290 --> 00:12:38,630 Speaker 4: I've hit with him a couple of times. It's just 334 00:12:38,910 --> 00:12:43,110 Speaker 4: absolutely amazing. Um, yeah, I, I, he was my, definitely my. 335 00:12:43,110 --> 00:12:44,230 Speaker 5: Favorite to watch for sure. 336 00:12:44,330 --> 00:12:44,530 Speaker 4: Yeah. 337 00:12:44,850 --> 00:12:46,110 Speaker 1: Does he know that? Have you told him? 338 00:12:47,490 --> 00:12:49,030 Speaker 4: I don't think so. I, I, I'm a little tight 339 00:12:49,050 --> 00:12:50,910 Speaker 4: around it. I, I, I definitely have to tell him 340 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:52,540 Speaker 4: because I don't know how long he's got. He's like 341 00:12:52,540 --> 00:12:54,460 Speaker 4: 37 or 38. I don't know how much longer he's 342 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 4: got left. So I gotta, I definitely have to tell 343 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:57,100 Speaker 4: him that. Yeah. 344 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 1: And also you alluded to before that, you know, it's 345 00:13:01,179 --> 00:13:03,140 Speaker 1: a dream come true being on the pro tour and 346 00:13:03,179 --> 00:13:05,579 Speaker 1: this is an amazing opportunity for you. But I guess 347 00:13:05,620 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: when new players come onto the tour, it's an adjustment, 348 00:13:08,540 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: like it's a grind and it's a long season and 349 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:12,469 Speaker 1: all of that. So how have you kind of juggled that? 350 00:13:12,830 --> 00:13:14,090 Speaker 1: What do you love about it? What have you found 351 00:13:14,130 --> 00:13:16,010 Speaker 1: challenging or has it mostly been great? 352 00:13:17,809 --> 00:13:18,590 Speaker 5: It's been pretty good. 353 00:13:18,670 --> 00:13:21,650 Speaker 4: I'd say the most challenging part was the clay season 354 00:13:21,670 --> 00:13:24,390 Speaker 4: in Europe, just because I'm from the US and we 355 00:13:24,410 --> 00:13:27,329 Speaker 4: don't really have any clay at and especially in Southern California, 356 00:13:27,350 --> 00:13:29,209 Speaker 4: we got no clay out here. It's too dry to 357 00:13:29,250 --> 00:13:31,970 Speaker 4: have clay. So, um, I never, you know, played on 358 00:13:32,010 --> 00:13:33,650 Speaker 4: it growing up. And then I went to Europe and 359 00:13:33,670 --> 00:13:35,530 Speaker 4: I won like three matches, three or four matches in 360 00:13:35,550 --> 00:13:37,590 Speaker 4: the span of like two and a half months. So 361 00:13:38,090 --> 00:13:41,150 Speaker 4: that was mentally tough. Um, but I like traveling. I like, 362 00:13:41,230 --> 00:13:42,990 Speaker 4: I like, I like putting in the hard work when I'm, 363 00:13:43,490 --> 00:13:44,890 Speaker 4: when I'm at events, even with like, I would lose 364 00:13:44,950 --> 00:13:46,850 Speaker 4: early and I'd be with my fitness trainer the next 365 00:13:46,870 --> 00:13:48,130 Speaker 4: couple of days, just absolutely grinding. 366 00:13:48,850 --> 00:13:49,350 Speaker 5: I enjoyed that. 367 00:13:49,390 --> 00:13:51,710 Speaker 4: I think that was a great, uh, growth period for me, 368 00:13:51,750 --> 00:13:55,190 Speaker 4: both physically and mentally. Um, but yeah, I love the, um, 369 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 4: I love the tour. It's, it's, it's a lot of fun. 370 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,839 Speaker 5: I like traveling and seeing the world and something I 371 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 5: never really thought I would do. So, um, yeah, I 372 00:14:01,900 --> 00:14:02,170 Speaker 5: love it. 373 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 1: Cool. 374 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:07,940 Speaker 3: You've, um, you've already made three ATP finals in, in 375 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,780 Speaker 3: such a young career. You must be incredibly proud of 376 00:14:10,820 --> 00:14:11,500 Speaker 3: that achievement. 377 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,710 Speaker 5: Yeah, I got three before I turned 20. I was, uh, 378 00:14:14,870 --> 00:14:16,010 Speaker 5: that was, that was pretty sick. 379 00:14:16,070 --> 00:14:18,349 Speaker 4: I didn't, I never in a million years did I 380 00:14:18,370 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 4: think that would happen, but, um, Yeah, I'm very proud 381 00:14:21,900 --> 00:14:23,890 Speaker 4: of myself. I've put in a lot of hard work, 382 00:14:24,070 --> 00:14:28,190 Speaker 4: especially the last four years. I didn't take tennis seriously, 383 00:14:28,210 --> 00:14:32,090 Speaker 4: but I never considered this route until probably three years 384 00:14:32,130 --> 00:14:34,430 Speaker 4: ago when I figured that maybe I could do this. 385 00:14:34,470 --> 00:14:36,500 Speaker 5: And I started working really hard about four years ago. 386 00:14:37,060 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 4: So just knowing all the work I put in behind 387 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 4: the scenes when no one's really seen it and knowing 388 00:14:42,180 --> 00:14:44,979 Speaker 4: that and making a couple finals is just, yeah, it 389 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:45,340 Speaker 4: feels great. 390 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:50,500 Speaker 3: Two of those three finals have come on grass at Newport, 391 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,780 Speaker 3: and you also had success in the Wimbledon Boys Doubles 392 00:14:53,950 --> 00:14:55,670 Speaker 3: event a couple of years ago. 393 00:14:55,970 --> 00:14:58,390 Speaker 2: What is it about grass that brings out your best game? 394 00:14:59,970 --> 00:15:02,070 Speaker 4: Well, I think it helps my serve out a little 395 00:15:02,110 --> 00:15:04,910 Speaker 4: more because my serve, especially in the years, was not good. 396 00:15:04,930 --> 00:15:07,490 Speaker 4: But the grass definitely makes it shoot through the court 397 00:15:07,510 --> 00:15:09,230 Speaker 4: a little more, and that helps me out. And I 398 00:15:09,250 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 4: feel like I return pretty well, so I feel like 399 00:15:11,860 --> 00:15:14,300 Speaker 4: I can get looks on return. And then also my 400 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:18,870 Speaker 4: serve is– not coming back as much because it's on grass. So, um, 401 00:15:19,190 --> 00:15:21,470 Speaker 4: that's great. And then also I feel like, especially in Newport, 402 00:15:21,510 --> 00:15:23,950 Speaker 4: like my backhand just would like, doesn't come off the ground. 403 00:15:23,970 --> 00:15:26,130 Speaker 4: And I feel like it's, it's tough for guys to, 404 00:15:26,390 --> 00:15:28,980 Speaker 4: it was tough for guys to manage, manage out there. 405 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,300 Speaker 4: And I also played like greatest. I love Newport. It's 406 00:15:31,340 --> 00:15:34,109 Speaker 4: a great place. So, I think, yeah, I'm actually. 407 00:15:33,870 --> 00:15:36,670 Speaker 5: Really bad at getting rid of that. That hurts. 408 00:15:36,950 --> 00:15:40,060 Speaker 4: I don't know what I'm going to do. 409 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:42,420 Speaker 5: But, yeah, I mean, I feel sick about it. 410 00:15:42,540 --> 00:15:44,540 Speaker 4: And, yeah, I'm glad I can make the final in 411 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 4: the last two times I had it. 412 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 3: That Wimbledon final a couple of years ago, did that 413 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 3: change the course of your career at all or just 414 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:54,260 Speaker 3: how you felt about the future? 415 00:15:55,170 --> 00:15:56,830 Speaker 5: Not really, just because it was doubles. 416 00:15:56,890 --> 00:15:58,750 Speaker 4: It wasn't like a, I mean, like that was like 417 00:15:58,790 --> 00:16:01,030 Speaker 4: the best moment of my life because that was one 418 00:16:01,050 --> 00:16:02,580 Speaker 4: of my best friends. I grew up with him here 419 00:16:02,620 --> 00:16:06,140 Speaker 4: in SoCal, uh, playing, winning with Corsair. That was an 420 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:08,340 Speaker 4: unbelievable time. I could, I wish I could go back 421 00:16:08,380 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 4: and relive that. Um, we saved match points in the semis. 422 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 4: Like we were, we were just absolutely just stuck. That 423 00:16:13,540 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 4: was like the happiest ever event after winning a tennis tournament. 424 00:16:15,660 --> 00:16:18,420 Speaker 4: And also it's Wimbledon. Like it was, it was absolutely awesome. 425 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:21,300 Speaker 4: But I don't think it changed the course of my, like, 426 00:16:21,340 --> 00:16:23,980 Speaker 4: you know, my, career because just because it was doubles 427 00:16:24,060 --> 00:16:26,140 Speaker 4: and like, I lost first round of singles that day. 428 00:16:26,420 --> 00:16:29,300 Speaker 4: I wasn't, you know, doing great in singles and, um, 429 00:16:29,700 --> 00:16:32,650 Speaker 4: I don't think it changed, changed too much. Um, it 430 00:16:32,690 --> 00:16:34,170 Speaker 4: definitely gave me a little more, like a little more 431 00:16:34,210 --> 00:16:34,770 Speaker 4: confidence though. 432 00:16:34,790 --> 00:16:35,470 Speaker 5: And I think that helps. 433 00:16:36,170 --> 00:16:36,670 Speaker 2: For sure. 434 00:16:37,270 --> 00:16:40,330 Speaker 3: Um, well, speaking of confidence this year, you've had, um, 435 00:16:40,390 --> 00:16:43,510 Speaker 3: wins over four top 20 players. There's been Alex Diminor, 436 00:16:43,570 --> 00:16:49,170 Speaker 3: Taylor Fritz, Stefano Sitsipas, and Hubie Herkatz. Um, what's, Was 437 00:16:49,230 --> 00:16:51,550 Speaker 3: one of those your biggest win, or do you remember 438 00:16:51,610 --> 00:16:52,810 Speaker 3: one of those as your best win? 439 00:16:54,110 --> 00:16:57,630 Speaker 4: When I played Diminor in Los Carlos, I absolutely treed. 440 00:16:57,790 --> 00:17:00,890 Speaker 4: I couldn't have played any better. I went out there, 441 00:17:00,950 --> 00:17:03,050 Speaker 4: I was seeing the ball, it was a great treat. 442 00:17:03,290 --> 00:17:05,990 Speaker 4: I couldn't miss a ball. I was just treing out 443 00:17:06,020 --> 00:17:10,060 Speaker 4: of my mind. In terms of level, my actual level 444 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 4: was not... I played way above my actual level that day, 445 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:15,300 Speaker 4: for sure. That was sick. 446 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:19,629 Speaker 5: And then beating Fritz is probably... Those are the two, because, I. 447 00:17:19,609 --> 00:17:21,290 Speaker 4: Mean, DNR was, like, nine in the world when I 448 00:17:21,430 --> 00:17:24,580 Speaker 4: played him in Mexico, and then Fritz was, I think 449 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:26,449 Speaker 4: he was top ten when I played him in Geneva. 450 00:17:26,470 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 5: I'm not 100% sure. I think he was. 451 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,899 Speaker 4: But I played pretty good, and then I gagged it 452 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,660 Speaker 4: away in the second. I was at 5-3 and then had, like, 453 00:17:35,700 --> 00:17:37,179 Speaker 4: four match points, and then all of a sudden it 454 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,340 Speaker 4: was 5-all. And then I came back and, like, only 455 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:40,900 Speaker 4: lost one more point from there. That was a good 456 00:17:40,940 --> 00:17:44,020 Speaker 4: mental effort for me to take him down. So those 457 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,740 Speaker 4: are definitely the two best wins of the year for me. 458 00:17:47,310 --> 00:17:48,889 Speaker 1: We watched the Demon or One in the office. Do 459 00:17:48,910 --> 00:17:49,470 Speaker 1: you remember, Viv? 460 00:17:50,290 --> 00:17:50,970 Speaker 5: We did, yes. 461 00:17:51,010 --> 00:17:52,619 Speaker 1: Yeah, it was in our time zone. We were watching 462 00:17:52,630 --> 00:17:54,659 Speaker 1: you guys and I'm being screwed in the office. Yeah, 463 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:55,980 Speaker 1: because it was like 11 in the morning. 464 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,959 Speaker 5: I actually played a joke. I played a joke. 465 00:17:57,980 --> 00:17:58,780 Speaker 1: Yeah, you played very well. 466 00:17:59,260 --> 00:18:01,380 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was an incredible performance. 467 00:18:02,140 --> 00:18:04,780 Speaker 3: I was also in Shanghai recently where I saw you 468 00:18:05,340 --> 00:18:09,179 Speaker 3: compete against Novak Djokovic. You took him to two tie-break sets. 469 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 3: What's it like to compete against a legend like Novak? 470 00:18:13,859 --> 00:18:15,980 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, being on the other side of the 471 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:19,739 Speaker 4: net is– again, something else I never thought would happen. And, uh, 472 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,199 Speaker 4: like when I was just like warming up, I was like, yeah, 473 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:23,660 Speaker 4: I mean, this is the goat. I'm playing the goat. 474 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:25,540 Speaker 4: And it's, it's pretty intimidating. You know, the guy's got 475 00:18:25,540 --> 00:18:28,199 Speaker 4: 24 slams. Like he's got a gold medal. He's like, 476 00:18:28,300 --> 00:18:31,159 Speaker 4: it doesn't even like he's, he's won everything there is 477 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:32,740 Speaker 4: to win. Like, what else do you need to win? 478 00:18:32,940 --> 00:18:33,610 Speaker 5: Like, why are you here? 479 00:18:33,660 --> 00:18:36,190 Speaker 4: And I'm playing, I'm drawing, I'm drawing a second round. Like, no, 480 00:18:36,250 --> 00:18:37,909 Speaker 4: but it was, uh, it was absolutely incredible. And I 481 00:18:37,950 --> 00:18:39,510 Speaker 4: got a three Oh in the first set in like 482 00:18:39,630 --> 00:18:42,210 Speaker 4: nine minutes. And I was like, and then I kind 483 00:18:42,230 --> 00:18:43,530 Speaker 4: of realized, Oh, maybe I can win. And then I 484 00:18:43,570 --> 00:18:46,260 Speaker 4: got a little tight, but, um, Yeah, playing, it was 485 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 4: an incredible experience. I get to tell my grandkids that 486 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,740 Speaker 4: I got to play at Novak Jericho, which is absolutely sick. 487 00:18:51,900 --> 00:18:54,220 Speaker 4: And then I had some chance. I had two set 488 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,169 Speaker 4: points in the second set. I should have won that 489 00:18:57,190 --> 00:18:59,110 Speaker 4: second set. But, I mean, he's, you know, the most 490 00:18:59,170 --> 00:19:02,070 Speaker 4: clutch guy that's ever played this sport. And also, knowing 491 00:19:02,090 --> 00:19:03,590 Speaker 4: that in the back of my head makes me even 492 00:19:03,609 --> 00:19:07,510 Speaker 4: more tight. So, yeah, it was definitely a crazy experience. 493 00:19:07,550 --> 00:19:09,129 Speaker 4: And I think I learned a lot from that one. 494 00:19:09,430 --> 00:19:11,100 Speaker 2: Do you feel like you lift against some of the 495 00:19:11,130 --> 00:19:11,690 Speaker 2: bigger names? 496 00:19:12,340 --> 00:19:12,580 Speaker 3: Lift? 497 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:14,179 Speaker 5: Like, you know, play better? Yeah. 498 00:19:15,550 --> 00:19:17,490 Speaker 4: Yeah I feel like I have I feel like I 499 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 4: don't always um I played against Zverev in the third 500 00:19:21,260 --> 00:19:23,500 Speaker 4: round of Australia I didn't play great there but um 501 00:19:23,660 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 4: I feel like I I have I feel like almost 502 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 4: like half the time I do half the time I 503 00:19:28,900 --> 00:19:30,479 Speaker 4: don't because you know you have to to beat these 504 00:19:30,510 --> 00:19:32,430 Speaker 4: guys you know you have to lift your level like 505 00:19:32,550 --> 00:19:34,370 Speaker 4: before I played you know Demon R or Fritz or 506 00:19:34,410 --> 00:19:36,610 Speaker 4: Sissy Boss like you know you have to play well 507 00:19:36,630 --> 00:19:39,410 Speaker 4: to beat any of these guys so um and then 508 00:19:39,470 --> 00:19:41,890 Speaker 4: going out executing it like feels great and then sometimes 509 00:19:41,930 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 4: you go out there and you don't execute it and 510 00:19:43,500 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 4: then the guy will just pummel you so I feel 511 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 4: like it's kind of dependent on the match for me. 512 00:19:48,980 --> 00:19:49,380 Speaker 2: Michelle? 513 00:19:50,100 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 1: We were going to ask you about the AO third 514 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: round run because it's your best Grand Slam result so far, 515 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,660 Speaker 1: and you beat Yuri Lahechka as well to reach there. 516 00:19:58,700 --> 00:20:03,260 Speaker 1: He was a seed. How do you look at that achievement, 517 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,200 Speaker 1: and was that a bit of a barrier broken getting 518 00:20:06,220 --> 00:20:07,570 Speaker 1: a bit further into a slam like that? 519 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:10,260 Speaker 4: Yeah yeah of course i mean i was like on 520 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:12,459 Speaker 4: the edge i was like 90 rank 95 before that 521 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,980 Speaker 4: event um or like 92 or something like that i 522 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:17,210 Speaker 4: remember going into that week and played that show in 523 00:20:17,250 --> 00:20:19,610 Speaker 4: wild card first round crazy crowd i got through that 524 00:20:19,670 --> 00:20:23,010 Speaker 4: one just felt great and then um i played pretty 525 00:20:23,050 --> 00:20:24,550 Speaker 4: well against last guy i remember i played a poor 526 00:20:24,590 --> 00:20:26,450 Speaker 4: first set and then after that i just like locked 527 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:28,400 Speaker 4: it and i i and there was a couple rain 528 00:20:28,420 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 4: delays which helped me and i i just played really 529 00:20:30,740 --> 00:20:33,899 Speaker 4: really well and then um being able to win that one, 530 00:20:33,930 --> 00:20:36,710 Speaker 4: that was incredible. And Zverev almost lost in the third round, 531 00:20:36,750 --> 00:20:38,270 Speaker 4: or the second round, I remember. 532 00:20:38,350 --> 00:20:39,750 Speaker 5: Oh, that's right. Yeah, I forgot about that. 533 00:20:39,790 --> 00:20:41,470 Speaker 4: I almost got to play, like, I almost got to 534 00:20:41,510 --> 00:20:43,130 Speaker 4: play Klein in the third round, which has been cool. 535 00:20:43,170 --> 00:20:46,850 Speaker 4: I mean, but playing Zverev on Rod Laver was incredible. 536 00:20:46,930 --> 00:20:49,190 Speaker 4: Incredible experience. That was my first time on, like, a 537 00:20:49,230 --> 00:20:51,470 Speaker 4: rooted court like that. And I feel like most of 538 00:20:51,490 --> 00:20:53,540 Speaker 4: the crowd was, like, for me, I think they wanted 539 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:57,219 Speaker 4: the underdog. And I made a close second set. I had, like, 540 00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:58,619 Speaker 4: one of the sickest shots of my life in the 541 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:02,370 Speaker 4: second set breaker. It was backhand line pass, but That 542 00:21:02,390 --> 00:21:04,810 Speaker 4: was an incredible experience. I really hope I get to 543 00:21:04,830 --> 00:21:07,210 Speaker 4: play at Rod Laver again this time. Hopefully not Tura, 544 00:21:07,310 --> 00:21:10,330 Speaker 4: that means I'll play Janik or Carlos, which I don't want. 545 00:21:10,369 --> 00:21:12,649 Speaker 4: Maybe like third round again. But yeah, it was an 546 00:21:12,770 --> 00:21:15,109 Speaker 4: absolutely incredible experience playing Rod Laver. 547 00:21:15,730 --> 00:21:17,290 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a fantastic court. 548 00:21:18,450 --> 00:21:21,020 Speaker 3: It sounds like you enjoyed the crowds in Australia. 549 00:21:21,390 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 2: How do they compare to, say, US crowds? 550 00:21:24,980 --> 00:21:27,360 Speaker 5: They're definitely more rowdy. When I played the Australian wildcard, 551 00:21:27,380 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 5: I mean, that was my first time. 552 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 4: I felt like I was really, really away. I felt 553 00:21:32,580 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 4: like I was in an away game. Not one person 554 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:37,940 Speaker 4: in that crowd was cheering for me. It was tough, 555 00:21:37,980 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 4: and I feel like I had that a lot this 556 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:43,020 Speaker 4: year where the crowd was against me, which I've come 557 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:45,179 Speaker 4: to love. I enjoy it now. But I remember in 558 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:47,350 Speaker 4: that first round in Australia, I was like, I didn't 559 00:21:47,369 --> 00:21:51,129 Speaker 4: love it. It made it even more tight. But now 560 00:21:51,150 --> 00:21:53,770 Speaker 4: I absolutely love it. But yeah, I think maybe I 561 00:21:53,810 --> 00:21:57,790 Speaker 4: earned their respect after I DJ Estrella and then in 562 00:21:57,810 --> 00:21:59,730 Speaker 4: the second round it was pretty even for me and 563 00:21:59,750 --> 00:22:01,990 Speaker 4: Leheska and then third round I felt like it was 564 00:22:02,030 --> 00:22:03,290 Speaker 4: more for me but. 565 00:22:03,310 --> 00:22:06,990 Speaker 5: Yeah it was it was really cool it was really cool. 566 00:22:06,690 --> 00:22:09,850 Speaker 4: To experience that I think experiencing that and then seeing 567 00:22:09,869 --> 00:22:13,100 Speaker 4: they're definitely the most rowdy like the Australians maybe the 568 00:22:13,140 --> 00:22:15,740 Speaker 4: French too but the Australians are crazy rowdy it was 569 00:22:15,859 --> 00:22:17,159 Speaker 4: it was a nice atmosphere it was. 570 00:22:17,580 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 1: Fun we love it we're famous for loving an underdog 571 00:22:19,660 --> 00:22:22,419 Speaker 1: so that will help explain why you experience what you 572 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,450 Speaker 1: did against Ferret there we go yeah love an underdog Um, 573 00:22:25,990 --> 00:22:27,590 Speaker 1: so I guess when you said like, you know, play 574 00:22:27,630 --> 00:22:30,350 Speaker 1: on Rod Laverina, if you, you know, you would like 575 00:22:30,369 --> 00:22:32,210 Speaker 1: to avoid Yannick and Carlos and people like that early, 576 00:22:32,310 --> 00:22:34,470 Speaker 1: you can do that by getting a Grand Slam seat. 577 00:22:34,490 --> 00:22:36,879 Speaker 1: And you're actually quite close to being in that bracket. 578 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:38,859 Speaker 1: What is the, now that you've kind of had a 579 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:40,540 Speaker 1: bit of time on tour and you know the level 580 00:22:40,580 --> 00:22:42,820 Speaker 1: and you see what those top players do, what is 581 00:22:42,859 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: the difference from going from where you are now at 582 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:47,919 Speaker 1: 40 to like that top 32 bracket or cracking the 583 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:50,200 Speaker 1: top 20? Like it's such small margins at the top. 584 00:22:50,260 --> 00:22:52,300 Speaker 1: So like, what do you think is the key to 585 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:54,660 Speaker 1: cracking those next barriers? 586 00:22:55,790 --> 00:22:57,230 Speaker 4: I think for me, one of the main things is 587 00:22:57,250 --> 00:22:59,590 Speaker 4: going to be getting a better serve because I'm 6'4, 588 00:22:59,630 --> 00:23:01,310 Speaker 4: and I don't get a ton of free points off 589 00:23:01,369 --> 00:23:03,890 Speaker 4: of serve, whereas most other guys that are my height 590 00:23:03,910 --> 00:23:05,690 Speaker 4: do get a lot of free points on serve. So 591 00:23:06,150 --> 00:23:09,670 Speaker 4: I think that is a big component. Also playing a 592 00:23:09,690 --> 00:23:11,570 Speaker 4: little more offensive because against these guys, they're not going 593 00:23:11,590 --> 00:23:12,609 Speaker 4: to give it to you. You've got to take it 594 00:23:12,630 --> 00:23:14,780 Speaker 4: from them if you want to win. So I feel 595 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:19,119 Speaker 4: like those are the two main things that need to 596 00:23:19,140 --> 00:23:22,590 Speaker 4: happen for me. And I also think the mental... I 597 00:23:22,609 --> 00:23:24,070 Speaker 4: really got to believe that I can beat all these 598 00:23:24,090 --> 00:23:25,430 Speaker 4: guys when I see them in draws. 599 00:23:25,450 --> 00:23:27,470 Speaker 5: So I think those three things for sure. 600 00:23:28,300 --> 00:23:29,300 Speaker 1: Is that belief starting to come? 601 00:23:30,540 --> 00:23:31,440 Speaker 5: Yeah, it is. 602 00:23:31,780 --> 00:23:34,239 Speaker 4: I usually go on the court and no matter who 603 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:36,619 Speaker 4: I'm playing, I tell myself that I could win. At 604 00:23:36,660 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 4: least I try to convince myself of that. Because if 605 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:41,540 Speaker 4: you don't, if you go in and you think you're. 606 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:44,030 Speaker 5: Going to lose, you're going to lose. So that's what 607 00:23:44,050 --> 00:23:45,969 Speaker 5: I tell myself. I definitely tell myself I can win 608 00:23:45,990 --> 00:23:46,850 Speaker 5: every time I walk out there. 609 00:23:47,310 --> 00:23:50,150 Speaker 1: Awesome. we've spent a lot of this chat talking about 610 00:23:50,170 --> 00:23:51,870 Speaker 1: kind of like you as a tennis player, your career 611 00:23:51,890 --> 00:23:54,109 Speaker 1: so far, your game, what would you like people to 612 00:23:54,150 --> 00:23:56,090 Speaker 1: know about you? Maybe like off the court as you 613 00:23:56,130 --> 00:23:56,609 Speaker 1: as a person. 614 00:23:58,770 --> 00:24:01,220 Speaker 4: Um, I mean, I'm crazy competitive on the court and 615 00:24:01,260 --> 00:24:03,439 Speaker 4: I'm also crazy competitive off the court for whatever it is. 616 00:24:03,500 --> 00:24:06,500 Speaker 4: Like you, like I play basketball. It's like crazy competitive. 617 00:24:06,580 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 4: I play video games. Like I get really pissed at 618 00:24:08,940 --> 00:24:10,480 Speaker 4: video games, way more pissed than I do at tennis. 619 00:24:10,500 --> 00:24:15,510 Speaker 4: So I'm crazy competitive with everything I do. Um, but 620 00:24:15,530 --> 00:24:17,590 Speaker 4: I'm also like, I mean, I hate to say this, 621 00:24:17,750 --> 00:24:19,570 Speaker 4: but I'm kind of boring. I don't do a lot. 622 00:24:19,650 --> 00:24:22,550 Speaker 4: I go to practice, at least when I'm home, I 623 00:24:22,730 --> 00:24:23,950 Speaker 4: go to practice most of the day. 624 00:24:24,010 --> 00:24:27,109 Speaker 5: I come back, I relax, I play video games, hang out. 625 00:24:27,070 --> 00:24:30,010 Speaker 4: With friends and family, and go and do it again 626 00:24:30,030 --> 00:24:31,869 Speaker 4: the next day. I feel like I kind of live 627 00:24:31,910 --> 00:24:33,750 Speaker 4: on the ground all day. It's just everything on repeat. 628 00:24:35,570 --> 00:24:37,070 Speaker 4: Not a whole lot going on over here. 629 00:24:37,470 --> 00:24:41,169 Speaker 1: Well, maybe you're underselling yourself because we were reading in 630 00:24:41,210 --> 00:24:43,090 Speaker 1: preparation for this interview, and we discovered that you collect 631 00:24:43,170 --> 00:24:44,970 Speaker 1: coins and you read about history, which. 632 00:24:44,869 --> 00:24:46,090 Speaker 5: Are pretty cool things. Yeah, I used to. 633 00:24:46,700 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 1: How did they start and what kind of history do 634 00:24:49,100 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 1: you delve into? 635 00:24:50,660 --> 00:24:51,460 Speaker 5: Oh, the America history. 636 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:51,879 Speaker 2: I love it. 637 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,500 Speaker 5: I love it in America. I love America. So just 638 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,220 Speaker 5: reading about the history and how we came to be 639 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:58,620 Speaker 5: is pretty cool. I don't know. 640 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:00,330 Speaker 4: I got into it when I was crazy young and 641 00:25:00,490 --> 00:25:03,810 Speaker 4: it's always kind of stuck with me. My grandfather also 642 00:25:03,869 --> 00:25:05,930 Speaker 4: fought in World War II. My other grandfather fought in 643 00:25:05,950 --> 00:25:09,530 Speaker 4: the Vietnam War. So I think having that connection definitely 644 00:25:09,730 --> 00:25:12,710 Speaker 4: made me. 645 00:25:11,369 --> 00:25:14,090 Speaker 5: Want to learn more about that. And then I also. 646 00:25:14,390 --> 00:25:18,000 Speaker 4: For the coins, I never... I haven't collected coins since 647 00:25:18,060 --> 00:25:21,879 Speaker 4: I was like 13. But I do have some cool 648 00:25:22,119 --> 00:25:23,940 Speaker 4: under my closet for sure. I haven't opened that thing 649 00:25:23,980 --> 00:25:27,010 Speaker 4: in years. But I definitely have some coins that are 650 00:25:27,030 --> 00:25:28,770 Speaker 4: probably worth a couple grand now just because they're so old. 651 00:25:29,170 --> 00:25:30,210 Speaker 5: And they're in good condition too. 652 00:25:30,350 --> 00:25:33,770 Speaker 4: And I kind of got that from my brother. I 653 00:25:33,790 --> 00:25:35,170 Speaker 4: remember my brother started doing that when I was younger 654 00:25:35,190 --> 00:25:36,950 Speaker 4: and I just kind of followed him. 655 00:25:37,790 --> 00:25:39,369 Speaker 1: That must have been an older story we read. But 656 00:25:39,390 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 1: that's cool. It could have some value now. Um, Alex, 657 00:25:43,780 --> 00:25:45,830 Speaker 1: this has been so great. You've been really generous with 658 00:25:45,850 --> 00:25:48,290 Speaker 1: your time. We just wanted to close by asking, yeah, 659 00:25:48,310 --> 00:25:51,770 Speaker 1: like when will we see you down in Australia for 2025, 660 00:25:51,750 --> 00:25:53,770 Speaker 1: like the Australian summer and kind of what are your, 661 00:25:54,250 --> 00:25:57,550 Speaker 1: what are your goals going into a new season, which 662 00:25:57,570 --> 00:26:00,210 Speaker 1: you've started preparing for? Yeah. 663 00:26:00,609 --> 00:26:02,929 Speaker 4: Um, well I will be in Brisbane the first week 664 00:26:02,970 --> 00:26:04,850 Speaker 4: I'm going to play Brisbane and then Auckland and then 665 00:26:04,970 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 4: obviously Melbourne. Uh, I'm looking forward to getting down there 666 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:11,300 Speaker 4: and start, start it all over again, uh, year two. Um, 667 00:26:13,150 --> 00:26:14,750 Speaker 4: Goals for next year, I don't really want to say. 668 00:26:14,890 --> 00:26:16,570 Speaker 4: I like keeping that to myself for the most part. 669 00:26:17,470 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 4: But I do have some goals I would like to accomplish. And, yeah, 670 00:26:21,580 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 4: just got to put in the work this next couple 671 00:26:23,300 --> 00:26:26,649 Speaker 4: of weeks before NextGen and try to get after it. 672 00:26:28,180 --> 00:26:28,580 Speaker 1: Amazing. 673 00:26:29,420 --> 00:26:32,260 Speaker 2: Fantastic. That sounds very exciting. 674 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:35,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, I can't wait to get down to Australia. I 675 00:26:35,500 --> 00:26:39,020 Speaker 4: love the course down there. Australia is a similar country 676 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 4: to America, so that's probably why I like it down there. 677 00:26:41,170 --> 00:26:43,030 Speaker 1: I think there's definitely a bit of a crossover between 678 00:26:43,050 --> 00:26:46,230 Speaker 1: like Southern California and Australia, like climate wise, the beaches, 679 00:26:46,290 --> 00:26:48,090 Speaker 1: everyone feels really comfortable. So that's, that's good. 680 00:26:48,170 --> 00:26:51,520 Speaker 4: Will you have to come before Christmas though? No, I'm 681 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:53,500 Speaker 4: actually going to go home after Saturday. I'm going to 682 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,040 Speaker 4: go home back to California for a couple of days, 683 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:56,540 Speaker 4: probably four or five days and spend. 684 00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 5: It with my family. And then I will, and then 685 00:26:59,060 --> 00:27:00,220 Speaker 5: I will head down to Brisbane. 686 00:27:00,740 --> 00:27:01,340 Speaker 1: Fantastic. 687 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:03,920 Speaker 2: We look forward to seeing you come the summer. So 688 00:27:03,940 --> 00:27:05,240 Speaker 2: thank you so much for your time today. 689 00:27:05,270 --> 00:27:07,590 Speaker 5: Yep. I'll probably see you guys in Melbourne. 690 00:27:07,609 --> 00:27:08,550 Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah, you will. 691 00:27:08,590 --> 00:27:08,990 Speaker 5: Yes, you will. 692 00:27:09,070 --> 00:27:09,550 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. 693 00:27:09,570 --> 00:27:09,790 Speaker 1: Cool. 694 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:15,639 Speaker 3: Well, I really do hope that we have a chance 695 00:27:15,700 --> 00:27:19,260 Speaker 3: to talk to Alex in person after such a great interview, Matt. 696 00:27:19,380 --> 00:27:21,700 Speaker 1: Yeah, it would be great to see him. I guess 697 00:27:21,720 --> 00:27:24,420 Speaker 1: before he comes to Australia, which is super exciting, we'll see, 698 00:27:24,550 --> 00:27:27,070 Speaker 1: I think, from Wednesday when the Next Gen Finals starts, 699 00:27:27,550 --> 00:27:29,750 Speaker 1: how he progresses. And I really enjoyed the part of 700 00:27:29,770 --> 00:27:32,129 Speaker 1: the chat where he talked about kind of his contemporaries 701 00:27:32,170 --> 00:27:34,070 Speaker 1: and rivals that are in that field. It's a pretty 702 00:27:34,130 --> 00:27:37,070 Speaker 1: amazing group that are coming up. And that reference to 703 00:27:37,270 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 1: Joao Fonseca hitting a ball like Yannick Sinner. Like there's 704 00:27:40,460 --> 00:27:43,180 Speaker 1: a lot of exciting stuff about this generation to look 705 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,790 Speaker 1: forward to. And so, yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing 706 00:27:45,869 --> 00:27:47,970 Speaker 1: both Alex and all of them when they come to 707 00:27:48,250 --> 00:27:49,149 Speaker 1: come to Melbourne in January. 708 00:27:49,270 --> 00:27:49,530 Speaker 4: Yeah. 709 00:27:49,630 --> 00:27:52,570 Speaker 3: And Alex is actually the number two seed at the tournament. 710 00:27:52,770 --> 00:27:55,990 Speaker 3: And he has, he's come so far since he played 711 00:27:56,030 --> 00:27:57,390 Speaker 3: that event last year as well. 712 00:27:57,450 --> 00:27:59,490 Speaker 2: So I think we'll see a lot of progress for him. 713 00:27:59,570 --> 00:28:02,850 Speaker 3: And, you know, who knows, he, we've got Yannick Sinner, 714 00:28:02,869 --> 00:28:06,510 Speaker 3: Stefano Sitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz are some of the names. 715 00:28:06,230 --> 00:28:07,369 Speaker 5: That have won that tournament. 716 00:28:07,810 --> 00:28:09,990 Speaker 2: So let's see who comes next. 717 00:28:10,350 --> 00:28:12,969 Speaker 1: Well, thanks again for joining us for this episode. And 718 00:28:13,030 --> 00:28:14,929 Speaker 1: we'll be back next week with another episode of The 719 00:28:14,950 --> 00:28:17,690 Speaker 1: Sit Down when we bring you our interview with Sumit Nagal. 720 00:28:18,050 --> 00:28:20,190 Speaker 1: But in the meantime, you can join John and Bree 721 00:28:20,330 --> 00:28:22,850 Speaker 1: and the team for this Thursday's episode of the AO 722 00:28:22,869 --> 00:28:23,350 Speaker 1: Show Weekly. 723 00:28:23,930 --> 00:28:28,380 Speaker 2: Please remember to subscribe, rate and review. See you next week, Matt. 724 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:28,830 Speaker 5: See you then, Viv.