Congratulations on being one of just two players to take a set off the 2025 Australian Open winner, Jannik Sinner. What was going through your mind when you sat down at the change of set with a 1-0 lead and a packed Rod Laver Arena chanting your name? How much extra energy did you draw from the crowd that day?
It was a great feeling. I sat down and knew I had plenty more time on court with the world number one ahead of me. I was looking forward to the challenge in front of me.
Did you walk out onto centre court expecting to win a set or the match? What expectations and goals had you set for yourself once you got past the first round and it sunk in that you would have to get past the world number one to progress any further?
I think about all the different scenarios that go through your mind beforehand. I just knew I would embrace the moment and give my best effort from start to finish. Regardless of the result, I wanted to walk off the court knowing I’d done my best.
What was it in particular about Sinner’s game that you found so challenging, and did you learn anything in particular from the experience?
He makes the court feel so small. The margins are so fine as he is always in position for every shot. If you’re not hitting the ball in the corners, he seems to find a way to put the point on his terms. It was great to see his level and play against such a high calibre of player.
Apart from the obvious aims of winning every game that you play, have you set yourself any concrete goals for 2025? Is it to make the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time, or perhaps an ambition related to rankings points or money? Or maybe to improve your clay game in the coming months?
I look to strive to be in the world’s top 100. I’d love to be in the third round of a major, and I came very close at the US Open last year.
Novak Djokovic has been speaking for years now about the difficulties that players outside the top 100 face with earning a living out of tennis, having to play almost 52 weeks a year to earn enough money and rankings points just to survive. He is demanding that players receive a greater share of overall ATP and WTA revenue. As a regular on the Challenger circuit who is putting his best in every week and is on the precipice of breaking into the top 100, do you sympathise with those comments?
It is true that it’s extremely hard to make a living on the Challenger and Futures tours. Lots of players can’t afford to travel and have a coach or team around them which may definitely help to continue building to the next level. Novak has been a massive part in trying to bridge the gap in the financials between the different levels.
In what must be a physically and mentally gruelling lifestyle, what do you like to do off the court to keep your physical and psychological wellbeing in the best shape possible? What is Tristan Schoolkate’s idea of a relaxing night off on tour?
I take it real easy. I’ll have some good food, coffee and make sure I’m relaxing as much as I can. A lot of our life is non-stop and fast paced so I travel with my iPad and book to keep my mind occupied on something else outside of tennis.
You’ve previously mentioned that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was one of your favourite players growing up, and I (Aaron) must say I immediately fell in love with his tennis when I sat in the stands at Hisense Arena and watched him fight to take Andy Roddick to an 18-16 tiebreak on Aus Open debut in 2007. There was just something captivating about his work ethic and his determination as well as his serve. What was it that you loved about JWT?
He was so much fun to watch, he electrified the crowds and hit some epic shots. The way he played and presented on court was awesome. I still enjoy watching some old highlights of his.
Tsonga became a household name amongst the tennis community a few years later but he wasn’t what I would consider to be a ‘mainstream’ sporting idol, despite sharing your affinity for him. Did you have any other idols in your teenage years that one might consider unusual or uncommon, even in other sports or outside of sport altogether, and what in particular drew you to them?
In tennis terms, I loved Rafael Nadal, he was such a great person and player to look up to. Although, I played soccer when I was younger, and I really enjoyed watching Tim Cahill. He was my favourite player growing up and I used to run to the corner flag after I scored a goal and box the flag just like he would.
We know you enjoy your coffee and us suburban Australians are very proud of our coffee culture (I’m from Melbourne so don’t get me started), so we like to finish our interviews by asking what is your go-to order and your favourite coffee place. Are there any cafes you’ve stumbled across overseas that you’re keen to get back to one day?
I typically order a strong flat white, some days I’ll have more than others… I recently got a coffee machine so I’ve been trialling my skills at home, finding the right beans and having fun with the art. I think I can make a decent cup, but I’ve found some good cafes in Brisbane that’s for sure. Good coffee is everywhere in Australia. I went to Colombia a couple of years ago - I went to a coffee lab/roaster and tried some different beans and brews there. That was something I’d like to experience again.