AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 15, 2025

Aleksandar Vukic

Press Conference

A. VUKIC/S. Korda

6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Aleksandar, another five-set thriller. Describe the conditions on court today and the atmosphere from the home ground support.

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Yeah, it was a whirlwind of a match. A long match with a stop/start. Very Melbourne weather, for sure (smiling).

I think overall it finished really cold at the end. But with the crowd, with the energy that was being brought. It's kind of like, as a fan, it's always the Aussie in the fifth set I know going to those matches. When they were singing, I wanted to sing as well at some points.

I was taking it all in and really just trying to be positive and really trying to be present and was able to pull through today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Where does that stack up? Was that the best win of your career?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: I think so. I think in terms of the situation, in terms of the atmosphere, in terms of everything. I think being down two sets to one against a great player in Korda, and fighting back when things weren't looking too good for me then and making my first third round, yeah, it's got to be the best or one of the best, for sure.

Q. How big a moment is that in your career? There's also the financial side of things, but also, I imagine, the personal pride and accomplishment of reaching the third round of a major for the first time.

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Yeah, it is. Obviously the stuff that comes with it, but I was, like, thinking about that. I don't know. You don't want to think too much. It's always kind of like, I think I can do better than second round. I was kind of just, like, I don't want to just make second round. I want to do more. I don't want to just settle for that.

I didn't want to just rock up today and have him just beat me in a way. I wanted to do all I can. Sometimes you can't win because obviously there's an opponent that is very good. Today with the energy being home, yeah, I was able to get through.

Q. You said you had a photo by your bedside when you were a 10-year-old kid here at Melbourne Park. You said that was your happiest memory in tennis. While you are trying to take it all in in this massive moment, have we now got a new favorite memory?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Yeah, I'm going to have to find a photo somewhere and frame it maybe.

Yeah, I think I have a photo still next to my bed of that. Yeah, for sure just playing this tonight with a lot of my family there, yeah, it's a nice moment. It's a nice moment.

Q. Can you explain how long you were off court? How did you spend the time?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Yeah, I think it was around two hours maybe. I think we got off just before 6. They said not before 7. I kind of just got some food in just in case it went five. I just had some chicken and rice. I stayed with my coach and fitness coach. We stayed in a room and chilled. I think we were watching Ajla play. We were playing some music, really just trying to relax. We didn't know what was going to happen, kind of like anyone.

I was kind of switched off. Came back, and we were off again basically.

Q. Thanasi and Jack Draper are still playing. Can you talk us through both of those potential opponents.

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Both going to be tough. Both going to be different. They're both great players. Yeah, listen, I'm not expecting things to get easier the further you go in a Grand Slam, nor would I want it that way.

No matter who I play, I'm going to cherish the occasion and, yeah, go for the win.

Q. If it's Thanasi, you could play him in singles, and you are scheduled to play him in doubles tomorrow. How does that prospect sit?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: The chances are pretty random with that, I would say. But no, I mean, at the end of the day I think for Australian tennis, what's kind of happening right now is unbelievable. I think we're all pushing each other. It's all such a healthy competition.

I think the more we can play against each other, as well, the more the nation's doing great things. Hopefully we keep playing each other in third rounds, and hopefully we keep playing each other in finals together.

Q. No chance of pulling out the doubles?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Me? No, no. I just talked to my partner, Duckworth. We were like: We good? We're good. Let's go.

So no chance.

Q. Do you find you're calmer now in these five-set matches? I don't know if you can recall your first five-set match. It must be just be so much going on in that moment. How does it feel out there? Do you feel calmer?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Definitely calmer. I don't know if my body's happy. My body's like, Can you just make this in three (smiling)?

I think my first five set would have been against Brandon Holt here a few years ago. When I lost that, it could have been 6-3 in the fifth. I think I lost my next one to Tomo last year. Since then I played three more, which I won.

I think you do get used to it a little bit more. You do get more comfortable with it. But yeah, it's something that, looking back, I'm sure when I retire, that was awesome. It's also like, if I can get it done sooner, it's probably better in the grand scheme of things, as well.

Q. You talked on court about soaking up the energy. If you play Thanasi or in the doubles tomorrow, it's going to be different because two Aussies. How do you soak it up if you play Thanasi, for example, in singles?

ALEKSANDAR VUKIC: Yeah, I kind of just hope it's lively for the both of us, as well. Kind of like I hope the crowd can see that it's two Aussies just competing against each other, respecting that, bringing good energy both ways.

I think they're amazing, as always. I have no doubt they'll be amazing, whoever I play in the next round.