THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2022

Jay Clarke

Press Conference

C. HARRISON/J. Clarke

7-6, 6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Your thoughts on today's match?

JAY CLARKE: Yeah, it was tough. Obviously ended late last night. Had a chance to serve for it, but it was quite tough to see.

Coming back today obviously we only played for about 15 minutes. Yeah, I played better today, I had the chance to take the set, but yeah, couldn't get it done.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. What do you think went wrong in the few set points you did have in the tiebreak? Looked like you had it under control, had a bit of momentum on the second day. What do you think you didn't quite do to get over the line?

JAY CLARKE: Yeah, I mean, the ball checked on at 6-3, then I kind of overrun it, played long, and then played safe at 6-4, tried to chip it, went long. Sure forehand. Yeah, just clipped the top of the net. And then breakpoint from him. Yeah, and that was it really.

Literally two careful on my end and he went for it and, and that was it.

Q. Wondering how difficult you found mentally to maybe come back again this morning after last night?

JAY CLARKE: Not really. I was kind of glad we stopped when we did. I don't know if I would have had the chance to come back today if we kept playing even two more games. It was really tough for me yesterday.

Yeah, I knew that if I was able to put like 40 minutes of good work in at the start I could be two sets all. Yeah, I almost took the third.

It was tough. It was a tough match, but he played well. He's come through quallies, he's confident, and he deserved it.

Q. Obviously it's been a quite positive few weeks of British tennis, people enjoying good runs at various tournaments. Does it feel maybe an opportunity missed not to capitalize on that momentum that seems to be carrying a few other players?

JAY CLARKE: No, not really. I think it's not something that's new that we all want each other to do well. Like Ryan has done well. Obviously Paul just lost a tight match. I practice with these guys all the time, so we all know the level we are capable of, and it's really nice they've done well.

Yeah, next week, if I'm not doubles, I have another chance in another challenger, week after, week after. Yeah, hopefully there's a lot of us in the top 100 by the end of the year.

Q. I was wondering where do you think your game is overall right now and how much you are looking forward to getting back on court with the doubles later this week?

JAY CLARKE: Yeah, I'm playing well. It's the best start to a year I've had: challenger final, challenger win, quarters in ATP, 20-something matches won.

Yeah, I'm feeling good. There were some tough draws for me in the grass tournaments, but I'm happy where my game is at.

I just need to continue this level when I do get back to the challengers, and, yeah, I should be good.

Q. Are there any particular lessons that you think you'll take from this to the next match?

JAY CLARKE: Yeah, I just need to do more, try and play more matches on my terms. Yeah, it's tough because that's one of my tendencies to kind of just always put the ball in, and as the level goes up and the ranking goes up, players are all good and they do make more than they miss.

So I need to take more initiative and, yeah, I know I can do it. Actually, when I do it, I give myself a big chance like I did when I came on court today.

I just need to do that more often. Then, yeah, I should be okay.