Ambitious and on a mission to get to the top is young Borna Coric of Croatia. The teenage sensation broke through into the Top 50 of the ATP rankings last season. He is fitter than last time, with improvements in his game as well.
Sportskeeda caught up with Coric for an exclusive chat post his second round win over Austin Krajicek last evening.
Well done on having made it through to the quarterfinals. Do you think you were a little less nervous out on court today?
Yeah absolutely! I was playing much better, I was a little less nervous, which I think is normal as I've already played my first match, which always makes it a little bit easier. And also in today's match, I played really good, served much better and in general was feeling very comfortable out on court.
Your someone who wears your heart on your sleeve. In the first match we saw you constantly talking to your box and expressing your frustration many times. How did you feel today?
I'm always getting a little bit frustrated, but that's just me. It's not necessarily with the calls, there are good calls and bad calls for both players. I was just not happy as I was missing some shots which I shouldn't be missing and I wanted to use every chance that I had. And my box keep providing me with energy, another reason why I look upto them constantly.
You have made huge strides since your appearance here last year, rising up to the Top 50 in the rankings and come in as the 8th seed here. Does the extra attention and success now have added pressure as more people are following you?
The pressure I feel can be a good thing. The only thing is that you need to know how to use it in a positive way. So I have no problem with it, its just more motivation for me.
In the final game of the first round match, you were twitching your leg and today, again, you took a tumble. How you feeling physically?
I'm fine. I mean in the first match I was a little nervous you know and it got to my legs a bit as well. But I had a great off season and I feel ready. And today i just made a wrong movement that saw me take a tumble. But I'm sure its going to be fine tomorrow and will be good to go on Friday.
What about your thoughts on your next opponent?
I'm actually going to try and watch some of the match now. I lost to Bautista [Agut] twice last year, on clay. So he will be the small favourite if I'm playing against him. And Millman, right now he's playing superb tennis at the moment and it will be a good match.
(Borna Coric will be playing Roberto Bautista-Agut in the quarterfinals tomorrow)
