THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 2, 2025

Billy Harris

Press Conference

N. BORGES/B. Harris

6-3, 6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Unlucky with the loss. What was sort of your immediate sort of reflections on that game?

BILLY HARRIS: Yeah, just gutted I couldn't still be out there playing the full set. In the third set I thought I was playing a lot better than the first two sets and found my rhythm pretty well. Then not to take those set points, I got just gutted really.

Q. Was it a case of maybe you took a little bit of time to reach the level that you needed to, or what do you feel was maybe the kind of key thing, especially in the first two sets?

BILLY HARRIS: Yeah, I mean, he's a very, very solid baseliner, so every game was a tough game. My serve wasn't working that well in the first couple of sets. Then the third set I found it a bit more and thought I was getting through my own service games a bit more comfortable.

But, yeah, got to take those chances when you get them. Then who knows if I got the third set, but that's ifs and buts.

Q. Is it a case of you feeling like there was still a little bit out there for you, not only in this match but also your side of the draw kind of really opened up had you got past Nuno today?

BILLY HARRIS: I didn't look past. I didn't even look at the draw past this match. One match at a time always.

But, yeah, I played the way that I wanted to play in the tiebreak, and I think I missed one passing shot by that much. Another short backhander that I committed to and just missed.

I didn't play any shots that I regretted in the tiebreak, so it is what it is.

Q. You sound a bit kind of frustrated. How are you feeling about it now? Obviously it's soon after, but yeah, how are you feeling about it?

BILLY HARRIS: Yeah, obviously nobody wants to lose any match. Just not really regretting anything, but didn't bring my best level at the start of the match. Got broke early on in the first set and was chasing a bit.

By the third set I was playing some good tennis, and I thought I was starting to play myself into the match. But you have to take the chances when they're there to take, which I didn't do in the third set.

Q. Where do you feel like the game now is moving forward? What can you learn from this to take into kind of the next year? You've had a shortish career at this top level, but you're showing what you can do. Do you feel there's another step to take as well?

BILLY HARRIS: Yeah, I think the last few weeks have been good to learn from. I know that my game can compete at this level. It's just being a bit more consistent and, yeah, playing the big points like that last tiebreak just a little bit smarter probably.

Yeah, basically get back to the practice court and keep working on the game.

Q. Can I ask one about the weather. For fans obviously the first two days were really, really hot, and it was probably a little more pleasant for them today. You're all really fit guys and girls playing the game. Does it make a difference to you as well? Can you run harder for longer in today's temperatures compared to the first two days?

BILLY HARRIS: Yeah, definitely nicer conditions than the first round. Physically I felt pretty good out there. I mean, it was only two and a half hours, I think. Yeah, definitely makes a difference when it's 10 degrees less. Especially if it goes to five sets, it's a lot easier to cope with.

Q. I know you said on Monday you wouldn't get too high after sort of the win on Monday, and obviously getting that sort of main draw win at Wimbledon. Will you now give yourself a bit of time to reflect and take kind of the positives from this week heading into the American swing?

BILLY HARRIS: Yeah, I'll take the positives from the win the other day. You know, it's great to get my first win at Wimbledon.

The atmosphere, again, today was amazing. Amazing support from the British fans. So, yeah, it was great to play out there. It was just a shame I couldn't take the match a little bit longer and push him a bit more and see what I could have done.

But, yeah, big thanks to all the British fans that have supported me and everyone who sent me messages. It's been great playing here, and hopefully will be back again next year.

Q. What's next for you in terms of the rest of the year?

BILLY HARRIS: I think I'll be heading over to America, probably starting Washington, and go from there.

Q. Obviously one of the big benefits of this run is the prize money. How does that help in your situation?

BILLY HARRIS: Always helps, yeah. It's a Grand Slam, so the prize money is obviously good. But not thinking about that too much. Just got to focus on the tennis. I don't really think about that too much.

Q. Can that help your tennis, sort of ease things for you, make things easy?

BILLY HARRIS: It doesn't really... Obviously it helps, and I'll use it to put back into my tennis. Yeah, it's always like that.