A week after the end of Portugal Open’s 25th edition, where we had the chance to be at the press room and do some quizzes with some of the best players in the world (available here), we’re back to the traditional interviews and this time we had a chat with one of the youngest raising stars in today’s tennis.
Borna Coric, only seventeen years-old and world top250, features our most recent interview at Tenis Portugal, and in discussion with our team he revealed us his main goals for the next months and showed confidence in his tennis and room for improvement. All in all, although his young age, the croatian seems well aware of what it takes to be successful in professional tennis. Don’t miss it!
INTERVIEW
Ténis Portugal: The last junior tournament you played was US Open in 2013, where you won the title. Even in the junior circuit, winning a Grand Slam tournament is a special feeling?
Borna Coric: Feeling was brilliant, I felt great entire week and I knew that I could make something big. Also it was my wish to win junior grand slam, so it is really great that it happend on my last junior tournament, since I have decided that this year I will not play junior tournaments.
- Ténis Portugal: At the Australian Open in 2014, Thanasi Kokkinakis was offered a wild-card by the organisation and reached the second round, where he had the chance to face Rafael Nadal in the Centre Court. At the 2013’s US Open you defeated Kokkinakis in the final. Did you get the feeling that it could be you playing the Australian Open and having media’s attention?
Borna Coric: I think it is ok that Thanasi Kokkinakis was offered a wild-card because he is Australian tennis player, and also one of the best juniors in the world.
- Ténis Portugal: You decided to leave the under-18 circuit still in junior age and focus on the transition to the professional tour. Many players claim that the major obstacle in the professional circuit is the knowledge of handling early round losses at tournaments, after so much success in junior events. Did you feel it as well?
Borna Coric: Yes, I have decided that I will not play any more tournaments under 18. It is true that it is not easy to handle early losses at tournaments, but I think with my results I have proved that I overcome it.
- Ténis Portugal: In the end of 2013 you practised with Rafael Nadal in Mallorca. He’s known by his dedication and hard work, but not much recognised as a person, outside the tennis court. Have you changed your opinion about the world’s number 1?
Borna Coric: I spent seven amazing days with Rafael Nadal, it was really usefull also because of tennis reasons, and in terms of understanding professionalism and tennis training as it experiences the best in the world. I think that was my biggest and most important lesson, and I will always be thankful to Rafael because of that.
- Ténis Portugal: You have won 5 Future tournaments and you have good consistent results in the ITF circuit. You’re the best ranked player from 1996’s generation, the only one in ATP’s top-300. Do you feel the pressure to take bigger steps and become one of the best players in the world?
Borna Coric: Yes I won 5 Future tournaments, and that does not make any pressure to me, in fact it helps me to work harder, because it shows me that I can play great tennis. Hope that soon I will step into top-200.
- Ténis Portugal: In the short period as a professional player, you have conquered Futures on hard courts and also on clay. Do you see yourself as a player able to play well in every surface or do you prefer to play in hard courts?
Borna Coric: Hard courts are definitely my favourite surface, but I think I improved my tennis on clay, and hope that I could play good almost as on hard courts.
- Ténis Portugal: In your view, what’s your strength inside the court and that you want to use during the points? And on the other side, what is the shot you need to work on the most?
Borna Coric: In my view my strength is that I am big fighter and I understand game very well. Also, I know how to play for a point. Shot on which I need to work the most is forehand and volley.
- Ténis Portugal: You have played 2 ATP main draws and, in both occasions, you managed to win a set and come really close to win the match. Do you think you’re prepared to be a part of the ATP circuit?
Borna Coric: Yes, that was two really big and useful experiences for me, both times I have been close, but I missed that experience which older players had. In my opinion I am ready to be part of the ATP circuit.
- Ténis Portugal: You finished 2013 as 367th ATP and right now you’re already in the best 300 players of the world. What is(are) your gold(s) for this year?
Borna Coric: Last year was really successful for me, I surprised myself a bit also. My goal for this year is to reach top-200 players in the world, which I think is pretty realistic because my ranking now is 250.
- Ténis Portugal: Reach the world’s top-100 is probably one of your biggest goals for your future. Have you defined any mark in the future to accomplish that or do you feel you’re still far away from it?
Borna Coric: For sure it is not easy to get into top-100 players in the world, and yes it is one of my goals, but I think I am not so far from that, because I showed that I can play with first class of players.
- Ténis Portugal: Recently you got the biggest win of your career. Playing Davis Cup and not in front of your home crowd, you beat Jerzy Janowicz, number 21 ATP, in 5 sets. What were your feelings by the end of that match after such an important win for you and your country?
Borna Coric: It was really big and important win, it is encouraging for me and my tennis. The feeling was unspeakable, because I did not play only for me, also for my country, what make this win more special.
- Ténis Portugal: Marin Cilic has been Croatia’s number 1 player for a while now and you’ve had the opportunity to share some moments with him at the Davis Cup. Do you look up to Cilic as an idol and a role model of how you should proceed in your career?
Borna Coric: Marin Cilic is great tennis player, the time I spent with him is useful for me because he is one of the best tennis players in the world. But I do not have an idol, neither I want to become someone else, I want to become Borna Coric.
- Ténis Portugal: To finish, so far you never played any tournament in Portugal, but you have had the chance of facing some young Portuguese players as a junior. What do you know of Portugal’s tennis? Have you visited our country?
Borna Coric: I was in Portugal once on a tennis tournament under 14 years, I like Portugal as a country. I know Portuguese tennis player Federico Silva, who in my opinion is great and has really bright future in tennis world.
Hope to visit Portugal soon.
- Ténis Portugal: To finish, a quick Q&A:
1. To be number 1 in the world or win a Grand Slam?
Win a Grand Slam.
2. Hard Courts, clay or grass?
Hard courts.
3. Win the Davis Cup or an Olimpic medal?
3. Win the Davis Cup or an Olimpic medal?
Davis Cup.
4. Favourite city in the world?
4. Favourite city in the world?
Zagreb.
5. Favourite Grand Slam?
5. Favourite Grand Slam?
Wimbledon
