THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 4, 2023

Ryan Peniston

Press Conference

A. MURRAY/R. Peniston

6-3, 6-0, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Ryan Peniston.

Ryan, not the result you wanted, but good experience on Centre Court?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, no, definitely the experience was amazing. Yeah, obviously not the result I wanted. I wanted to try to go out and win. But, yeah, Andy is an amazing player. But it was overall an amazing experience for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously the scoreline was pretty one-sided, but you seemed to be playing some really good stuff out there. Did you feel like he just played too well?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, yeah, I mean, he played a pretty clean match I thought. I think that, yeah, the scoreline was definitely one-sided for him, but I felt like we had a lot of good rallies and close, close points that went his way.

But, yeah, no, it felt like, yeah, he was too good today.

Q. Did you have to pinch yourself almost when you were out there? How hard was it to try to maintain that calmness?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, I couldn't really believe it. I was trying to maintain the calmness, but it was impossible. Maybe midway through the first set was when it kind of started to settle down a bit. But, yeah, the first 20 minutes or so, it didn't feel real at all.

Q. Was there anything in particular you think Andy did out there today that caused you so much trouble at times?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, I think the main thing that Andy did really well today was he was just relentless on every point. I had quite a few games where I was 30-Love up, things like that, had game points, but he was relentless on every point. Yeah, that's why the scoreline was like it was.

Q. Looking ahead for you, what's coming up in the next few weeks and months?

RYAN PENISTON: I'm not sure yet. I'm going to have to check the schedule. But I think it's looking like I'll play in Spain next couple challengers.

Q. How long beforehand or did you know beforehand that Roger Federer and the Princess of Wales would be out there? Was that a bit disrupting?

RYAN PENISTON: I saw them on the TV while I was waiting to play. I didn't know if they were going to still be there when we were playing. Obviously I saw they were.

No, yeah, it was definitely surreal looking up in the box and seeing them watching. Yeah, it was an honor.

Q. A bit more pressure on?

RYAN PENISTON: A little bit. I feel like, yeah, it's impossible not to have pressure when you have a legend like Roger Federer sitting there (smiling).

But, no, it's super cool.

Q. Were you a Federer fan as a kid?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, definitely. Big Federer fan.

Q. People are asking me for tickets. Did you have to get 35 tickets for friends and family?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, we had a lot of tickets today. Yeah, gave out to friends and family. My coach, Mark, is the one who sorted it because it would be a bit mad if I was sorting it as well.

But no, it was really cool to have, like, close friends and family all there watching, going for the experience with me. It was amazing.

Q. Is your next target to get back there again?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, 100%. I would love to get back there. I'm obviously not taking today for granted. No, to be back there would be awesome.

Q. How far do you think Andy can go this year?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, I mean, he played really well today. Yeah, I think why not? Why can't he go and win it?

Q. You've only played him in practice before, but how well do you think he played today?

RYAN PENISTON: Yeah, I thought he definitely played well. I mean, he is where he is because of the way he practices, as well. He's the same in practice. He's on every ball. Yeah, that's why he's so good.