DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 22, 2022

Tallon Griekspoor

Team Netherlands

Press Conference

J. THOMPSON/T. Griekspoor

4-6, 7-5, 6-3

Team Australia - 1

Team Netherlands - 0

THE MODERATOR: Please tell us what happened after leading, after winning the first set, what happened from there? Do you think you dropped your level, he surprised you with his level, a mix of both?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Yeah, maybe a little mix of both. He started to play better. I think he wasn't great in the first.

I started off pretty well, even in the second, had a lot of chances. I think three different games had some breakpoints. Didn't make them. Got some breakpoints in the beginning of the third, and I think he did well on those points.

It's not like I missed some easy balls. Yeah, I think I should have been better on those points. Yeah, should have rewarded myself with, yeah, probably winning in two sets.

Yeah, credits to him for hanging in there and fighting till the end.

THE MODERATOR: Do you feel that after winning the second set he raised his level or you were already a little bit flat after that, not taking your chances in the second set?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Yeah, I think he started to play a little bit better but not a big difference. I was struggling a little bit physically.

Yeah, wasn't easy. Tough match to start off with. Yeah, like I said, I should have done better on the important points. Yeah, probably should have won the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Despite losing the first game, what do you think about the support of the almost 500 people from The Netherlands that came today here in Malaga?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: I mean, I think that's probably the best atmosphere I played in. They were great. They didn't let me down in any point of the match. I mean, without them would have been a lot different. So, yeah, they pushed me all the way but it wasn't enough. Hopefully they can push Botic all the way and we can go to doubles.

Q. What would you have done different on those breakpoints that you couldn't handle?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Well, I think he served well on a couple of them. He didn't give me one second serve, I guess. Maybe be a little bit more attacking over there. Just go for it instead of waiting for him to miss.

But on the other hand, waiting for the returns, putting the ball in was what I did all the time and was what was leading me to the breakpoints.

Yeah, I mean, just a couple, probably one, two points I would have played different, which probably could have given me the win. But didn't happen in the end.

Q. You were just suggesting or indicating that you were struggling a bit. What was specifically the issue?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Cramping a little bit in both legs, but wasn't really like disturbing me. Just with serving a bit.

It was a tough match, like a lot nerves in the beginning especially, opening the tie. Maybe, I wouldn't say a must-win match, but I think a good matchup, big chances here to go for 1-0.

Yeah, it was tough physically. I mean, he did well in the end to hang in there, and he probably deserved it.