AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 14, 2025

Kasidit Samrej

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/K. Samrej

6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: What a fantastic match. I mean, five sets. You took the second and the third set. Could you please walk us through your thoughts on the match?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: Yeah, honestly at the beginning I feel a bit exciting and nervous. That's the thing that I had. I'm not played that good in the first set. I'm trying to keep on my shot, to stay on focus and on my play. Then I feel better about it. That's better, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How would you describe the experience of being out there, this tournament, that size stadium, against an opponent whose won a Grand Slam title? What was it all like?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: Everything is new to me. The first time at Melbourne, first in Australia. I had to play at Rod Laver.

I talked to my coach, he said to me, Just try to focus on the ball, not focus on the stadium or something.

That's kind of help to me. That's kind of, like, I have to stay on my game. That's kind of helpful.

Q. Late in that third set, the final game just before you went up two sets to one, there was that point where you had the forehand passing shot to get to your first set point, and Daniil got a little upset and hit the net with his racquet. What did you see in that moment? What was your reaction to seeing his reaction on that point?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: Honestly I've seen him before like this, right? I'm a bit shocked, honestly. I lost two point after that. Yeah, I tried to focus on myself again, and yeah, that's the point that I came back.

Q. Everyone knows that Daniil Medvedev stays back on the return. He stays deep in the court. You used the dropshot very effectively today. Was there a tactical decision that you took before the match?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: That was the plan that I talked to my coach and try to use the dropshot more than just hit in groundstroke, and I try to keep to the net, but that's not easy. I think the dropshot is a good choice for me today, and it worked for me today.

Q. I mean, tennis is not so big in Asia, if I can say that. China is doing good. Japan is doing good. Now we have you from Thailand. How do you think your effort will inspire kids in other Asian countries to take up tennis? Do you think about that at all?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: Yeah, I have thought about that. I want to bring Thai tennis back in the map. Tennis in Thai is not that popular right now, and now it's getting famous again. I want to be the one who bring the tennis back, yeah.

Q. Lastly, on your ATP bio it says that you're a big Steph Curry fan. Do you think tennis will one day lead you to meet Steph Curry?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: I hope so, yeah. That going to be like great so much that I'm going to meet him, yeah.

Q. What about him inspires you?

KASIDIT SAMREJ: I think he's great-looking, and I like the way he shoot the ball. Yeah, I want to see him someday, yeah.