Q.) You come from a working-class background in Hull, what made you start playing tennis? And was there a specific player that you watched and made you want to pursue a career in the sport?
A.) I started playing tennis by attending an after school tennis club at four or five years old. Just gradually started playing more and taking more of a liking to the sport. Rafael Nadal was always my favourite player growing up.
Q.) At 18-years-old you moved to South Carolina, USA for a scholarship – what was your thinking behind that, and how did you benefit from doing it?
A.) James Trottman helped me with the college route decision. It was the best fit for my situation at that time, it had everything I needed to get better so I didn’t think twice and went for it. Became a better person and tennis player because of it. I really improved my tennis IQ.
Q.) You won the NCAA’s national single tennis championships in Orlando, 2019. That must have been a special moment in your life, tell us about that?
A.) Yeah that was a surreal moment in my life, definitely one I will cherish. I’d had a great season already and this was the perfect finish. It was great to have something show all the hard work I had put in from the moment I went to college.
Q.) That win earnt you a wildcard spot at Wimbledon. 19-years-old and competing in the main draw at Wimbledon is a brilliant achievement in itself, how much did you enjoy the experience?
A.) Playing Wimbledon was great a experience, being in that environment around the best is where you want to be. It’s any tennis players dream to play there so I was super grateful for that opportunity and I hope I can be back there again playing.
Q.) Although you’ve always played tennis, did the title win in Orlando and playing at Wimbledon really inspire you and give you the confidence to want to reach the top level of tennis?
A.) For sure, those experiences definitely gave me that extra confidence that I do have the potential to get to the top level in tennis. I would say I have always had belief deep down that I can do well in tennis but with results like NCAA’s it gives you that extra confidence.
Q.) You won an ITF title in Cancun last year too, how do you reflect on your 2019 as a whole?
A.) 2019 as a whole I would say would be a year that I will remember as a very important year in my career because so much happened. It was a roller coaster of events. I was able to jump levels in my game and build a lot of confidence in myself and really show myself what I can do.
Q.) With the Coronavirus pandemic on-going, we are unsure when tennis will resume. However, do you have set targets for the 12-18 months in terms of titles and rankings, or do you just take each match as it comes and let the rest take care of itself?
A.) I don’t really have any targets yet. Just going to see how it goes first to find my footing playing full-time professionally and then go from there.
Q.) The mens game is as good as it’s ever been right now, so many different styles. Is there one player you study and learn from?
A.) The one player I would say I study and learn from the most is Novak Djokovic. I like to style my game around his so I watch him a lot. But I also watch lots of other players and see what they do so well.
Q.) Finally, the GOAT race in mens tennis is very tight. Federer (20) Nadal (19) Djokovic (17). Who do you think finishes with the most grand slam titles?
A.) I think Djokovic will finish with the most. With how dominant he has been it is hard to not say him. He is just levels above everyone right now.
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