HSBC CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 20, 2025

Jacob Fearnley

Queens Club

Press Conference

J. LEHECKA/J. Fearnley

7-5, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: We will just go straight to questions.

Q. That's three matches you have played in a little over 24 hours in this heat. How are you feeling?

JACOB FEARNLEY: I'm all right. Tired. But, yeah, a positive week, I guess. Yeah, looking forward to getting some sleep and ready for doubles tomorrow.

Q. Were you surprised you were sent straight out midday today in the heat again?

JACOB FEARNLEY: Not really. I mean, I knew that they had to put Jack and Carlos second and third. I didn't think that they could put me last just because of doubles on Saturday, so I knew it was going to be first on. It's just one of those things.

Q. Tough luck today. How do you feel about how you have played this week so far? You've obviously got the doubles tomorrow. But first tour quarterfinal, is that something you can really build on for Eastbourne next week particularly?

JACOB FEARNLEY: Yeah, I think so. It was a good tournament. I thought overall I played some good tennis. Obviously unfortunate today, but yeah, still pretty cool, first quarterfinal here at home. So yeah, no, it's been a good week.

Q. Obviously the double faults were an issue today. That must have been quite frustrating, particularly the fact that they came in patches in those two games in the first set.

JACOB FEARNLEY: Yeah.

Q. How frustrating is that? And was there anything physical? I saw you stretching out your shoulder maybe at times. Was there anything physical behind that?

JACOB FEARNLEY: Yeah, I mean, of course it's frustrating. I mean, it's well in my control, though. I mean, I just had a bad serving day. Yeah, that was it, really.

I served two-and-a-half games of double faults. When he's serving the way he was serving, it's tough to win. It got to my head a little bit. But no, yeah, it's obviously extremely frustrating. At this level you can't give that away, that many free points.

It's just, yeah, it's frustrating, because you also feel -- I mean, I got a break up, I was playing well, and then just lost it on my serve. That's probably the most frustrating part about today, but yeah, yeah.

Q. Your shoulder?

JACOB FEARNLEY: It's fine. It's just tight. Yeah.

Q. How much doubles do you think you'll play in future? I know there are benefits, particularly in a very short grass court season, but I guess it must also take quite a bit out of the tank.

JACOB FEARNLEY: Yeah, for sure, I won't play again. I won't play Eastbourne. I won't play at Wimbledon.

Yeah, I mean, I like doubles. I'd like to make it somewhat of a priority, but obviously singles is the main priority. Yeah, it's just about being smart.

Obviously if I had known I was going to be put on first the day after playing a long match in 32 degrees and playing another doubles match late at night, then yeah, I probably wouldn't have played doubles. It's just difficult to predict those things sometimes.

So, yeah, just about being smart about it really.

Q. I'm just interested, why are you wearing all black? I was always told in the heat of the sun, wear lighter colors. It reflects the light. You're wearing colors that absorbs the heat. Is that just a fashion choice, or is that something you don't really care about?

JACOB FEARNLEY: It's the stuff adidas gave me to wear, so I have to wear that. That's it, really.

Q. Obviously you have had this rapid and amazing rise to where you are in the ranks at the moment, but playing guys like Lehecka today, what do you feel the improvements you have to make to push up towards top 30, top 40?

JACOB FEARNLEY: Well, today I needed to serve better (smiling). That was the thing that was the difference I think between us. I mean, he was serving great; I was serving terrible.

Yeah, I think that's it, really. Maybe just how I'm responding to it. I think mentally, especially when I'm a bit tired, maybe I'm not responding in the appropriate way, or maybe I'm not being as positive as I should in big moments. I think that's something that I always need to improve, and kind of dealing with adversity maybe a little bit better when I'm playing better opponents.