Korda remains positive and aims high after Australian Open exit

| by Alfredo Bassanelli

Sebastian Korda proved he belonged at the Australian Open and he's already thinking about the next step in his career.

Korda got off to a great start this year by challenging Djokovic in three sets in the Adelaide final. Despite failing to convert a match point in that encounter, Korda maintained his composure and optimistic outlook going into the Australian Open. He had a fantastic performance in the competition that was cut short by a wrist injury, but he's choosing to keep positive after this one as well.

There are a lot of positives. Way more positives than negatives. Today was tough, but hopefully, it's nothing serious and I can take care of it, so I don't have it in the future. “[It was] still a great tournament [for me]. My first quarter-final in a Grand Slam. I'm going to go forward with my head high and keep working.

Korda on the 2023 Australian Open
WATCH: Tsitsipas comes close to disqualification during outburst
WATCH: Tsitsipas comes close to disqualification during outburst

The wrist discomfort is nothing new to Korda because it started in Adelaide. He feared it might derail his Australian Open but then it stopped bothering him. It flared up again in this match and he knew immediately it was going to be tough.

I had it a little bit in Adelaide a couple weeks ago, but then it went away. During the matches [in Melbourne], it was completely fine. Then just one kind of mishit return, and it started to bother me a lot of after that. I kind of knew what it was right away, right when I hit the return. I kind of felt that spot that I was feeling before. Some forehands I couldn't even hold the racquet. Volleying was almost impossible for me. So it was a little tough.

Korda on his wrist
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"It took me 10 years to get over that" - Azarenka on controversial 2013 Australian Open victory

He remains optimistic about his future but his focus will be nursing his wrist back to health. After that, he expects to do some big things in the future.

Going forward, I'm going to keep on trying to do the same thing, keep on mentally being the same way. You know, I think I can do some really big things in the near future.

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