NATIONAL BANK OPEN

July 28, 2025

Dan Martin

Press Conference

J. MUNAR/D. Martin

6-3, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Not the result you were looking for, but can you tell us how it felt going into that match?

DAN MARTIN: Yeah, I mean, first of all, I want to thank Tennis Canada for giving me this opportunity for playing in the qualifying draw. It was, honestly, it was a great experience. I was super excited, very nervous as well, but I think I managed to control my nerves yesterday, and really happy to have gotten through with the win yesterday.

Today was also a different experience, it was the first time playing in front of such a big crowd. Honestly, I'm happy with how I played, and look forward to see how this season goes for me.

THE MODERATOR: Any questions?

Q. What was your reaction when you found out that you were first getting the wild card into the qualifying draw, if you go back a few weeks, I guess.

DAN MARTIN: Actually, it's pretty interesting, but I found out relatively late. I was actually away playing, practicing for another tournament. I drove 14 hours to Illinois, hoping to play a tournament. Then I found out about the wild card, so I had to drive another 10 hours back. So that was interesting.

Honestly, when I found out, I was super excited and, honestly, it's a life experience.

Q. Can you talk a bit about the qualifying match which had a bizarre sort of suspension of play due to the rain. You seemed to have a leg up on him in that final set, having the break, and then he broke back, and you had to stop at deuce. Just talk a little bit about the mindset as that was unfolding, and then how you had to keep it all together overnight to wait until the next day.

DAN MARTIN: Yeah, that was also different. I had set points in the first set, so that was difficult to accept that set loss. After that, I managed to win the second set.

Being up 5-2 in the third, he played really well, honestly, and put me on my back foot a little bit. It was strange to have to finish on such a high note, deuce, 5-all in the third. Then, obviously a difficult night of sleep, just kind of visualizing the end of the match, the next couple points. But, yeah, I really visualized a lot, and it worked out well.

Q. Between the first and second sets here you said you managed to calm your nerves and stuff. Was there something that you noticed in the return game there or having to manage the adrenaline dump after seeing the crowd in Canada for the first time like that?

DAN MARTIN: Today or?

Q. For today's match.

DAN MARTIN: Obviously it was different. I mean, it's a new experience for me, so I'm really happy to have experienced it and played in front of a home crowd. But, yeah, definitely emotions is something that are difficult to control. I'm new to this, but it's going to be, it's looking good I think for me in the near future.

Q. What has been the biggest adjustment transitioning from college to the professional tour?

DAN MARTIN: I think doing everything on your own. In college everything is given to you, you don't really have to think. Coaches tell you what to eat, what to do, when to sleep, things like that. But here on the tour you have to kind of make your own schedule and plan ahead, from flights, to hotel, to food and stuff like that. It's definitely more independent, but it's a habit that you get used to it pretty fast.

Q. Your mom's here in the back, she's ear-to-ear smiling. What does it mean to you to have her here?

DAN MARTIN: I mean, it means a lot. Obviously this isn't just a solo effort, it's a family effort, it's friends supporting, and people back home always cheering for me. Honestly, just seeing them smile and be proud, and honestly even dropping a tear sometimes means a lot to me.

Q. We know it's not easy for tennis players at a certain level financially. This is the biggest payday of your career, what does it mean to you financially?

DAN MARTIN: I mean, yeah, this is definitely big. It's going to be helpful for at least a couple months, for sure. But, yeah, financially-wise, it's very difficult, especially when you're starting to play. Everything's out of pocket, obviously. But not having any sponsors or anybody really helping you financially is difficult, but it's an investment for the future that I'm willing to make.