Tennis Elbow 4 Media

Exclusive ESPN Interview with Debuffy

29.08.2023


Interviewer: We welcome today here in the studio at Flushing Meadows, the World No.9 and home favourite, Debuffy, winner of the 2023 Miami Masters, and 6 titles overall in WTSL (4 in TE4)

Debuffy: Glad to be here

Interviewer: Glad to have you too, and thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. So you have been on Tennis Elbow 4 tour since around October 2022, how would you say things have gone over the past year, and what would you consider your biggest highlights?

Debuffy: I've had a great time so far in the tour! Starting my first tournament in Tokyo and making it to the final was awesome. I've had my breaks throughout the year but I have enjoyed playing the entire time. I would say some of my biggest highlights is making it to the final of the Paris Masters, I had finally got a win over one of my competitors, Fractals, in a close 3 set match where I think I saved match points in the second set and had a great match with Mystery in the final. The biggest highlight for me though is winning the Miami Masters, that is my home town tournament and my form there I think was still my best to date.

Interviewer: You for sure made rapid progress since you first joined the tour, making it to the final in your first ever tournament. I think no one managed to do that other than King Barboza and Mystery who won their first title in their first ever tournaments, in te3. You progressed so quickly that you were able to qualify for the world tour finals, despite being a next gen finals qualifier. What would you attribute this to, as not everyone has been capable of adapting from te3 to Tennis Elbow 4 like that, or that quickly? And yes it would be safe to say Miami was probably where you had your best performance as you were able to hand, fractals, the current no.1, one of his most lopsided losses to date, but pushing the legendary Mystery, is also very impressive.

Debuffy: I think both tennis elbow games, the key is to hit the ball cleanly. I learned how to do that early on and kept good reactions from te3 to move onto te4, still took a lot of practice sets to be at a solid level though. Thank you man, I think in Miami the stars simply aligned for me to win my first major title there, especially on home soil.

Yeah both games retain the same controls and core mechanics, but adjusting to the different animations and movements has not been so straightforward for some. What do you think makes the likes of Jijo and Yale superior to the field and do you think you could eventually reach that level?

Debuffy: While I have not played either of them for a little while, they are simply experts at the game. Barely making any unforced errors and hitting the ball cleanly 100% of the time in combination with their precision makes them the best. Mental toughness as well keeps them at their high level throughout a match. I'm hopeful that as I continue playing and keep working on my shots and metal I will reach that level.

Interviewer: One of them (won’t name names) believes you have that potential and you have already shown it in the matches and practices you’ve played, so surely if you put in the work and get and heed, the right advice you can get there. So you have played many matches over the past year. Which ones would you say were your favourite, and who would you consider your toughest opponents/biggest rivals?

Debuffy: Yeah I mean I've had plenty of close and fun matches this year that could have gone either way. My favourite so far of 2023 would have to be my 3 set win over Mohd in Miami and also the marathon match that Mohd and I played in Cincinnati. Both Mohd and Fractals are of the highest level in this tour so I think the trio of us are the biggest rivals. Also if The End showed up again I'm sure he'd also be apart of this.

Interviewer: Yeah you have all played some great matches against each other, with most of your matches going the distance, you missed Roland Garros, where The End won RG defeating Mohd in the final, after Mohd had stunned fractals in 5 sets in the SF and fractals ended up bouncing back to win Wimbledon. The End also pushed Yale to a 5th set tiebreaker in AO, so he definitely belongs in that group too. Unfortunately following RG, he suffered a bad wrist injury which will keep him out for much of the year. Your last match with him didn’t end so well, would you say that was one of the toughest losses of your career, and did you learn anything from it?

Debuffy: Yeah I mean I learned that in close matches I need to keep my composure and keep playing every point like its my last. Yes vs the end was 100% my toughest loss as I was up 5-2 in the third and managed to lose 5-7 from there. Once he gained momentum over me I knew it was over. That specific match showed how big momentum is in tennis and was a wake up call to me to increase my level

Interviewer: Yeah that must’ve been a tough loss, but it also showed how huge a fighter the end is, yale came really really close to losing his first ever match vs him at AO, and seeing that he lost to him in MG RG, he could be a candidate at least on slow surfaces vs him. So looking ahead to USO, who do you think are the favourites for the title?

Debuffy: Well I think Fractals is still the favorite followed by mohd and I, also Poland is a big wild card, he has the opportunity to do some serious damage in the draw. Obviously if mystery or the end played then they would be the favorites. But I think I will win the entire tournament and shock everyone

Interviewer: Yeah the bookies would agree with those odds, and we still hope that Yale can return to defend his title, while entry is still open…I like the confidence, you can’t achieve anything without first believing in it and the level seems to be there. Is there anything particular you do in preparation for a slam?

Debuffy: Just more sets haha that’s all you can really do for practice . You can also watch other top players and the way they played to win these matches

Interviewer: That’s interesting, but practice does make perfect, are there any attributes of other top players which you would try to emulate?

Debuffy: I think the constant clean hitting from them, with those shots it’s very hard to hit a winner on. Also their reaction speed is top notch, you have to start moving before the ball even reaches your side of the net

Interviewer: There’s always areas you can improve from observing fellow competitors, do you have a coach who helps you develop your game? And what would be your opinion regarding on-court coaching?

Debuffy: Nah I improved almost 100% by myself with a few tips here and there by top players like Yale and King Barboza, I think on court coaching would be fine, just between side changes I think would be the proper interval

Interviewer: It was recently announced that you were selected to participate in your first Laver Cup, and Barboza and Yale are the coaches for Team World, are you looking forward to it?

Debuffy: I’m so excited for it, team world is going to win and in dominant fashion. I hope I get to play doubles with Yale during the event because that would make it even more amazing.

Interviewer: Team World have been the favourite in most editions of Laver Cup, and this year you’re the heavy favourites, but now that we were able to nab Fractals, with the world number one, I think Europe’s got a chance. Laver Cup is unique in that there is on-court coaching and 2v2 doubles. In the inaugural version, we were able to play two, 2v2 doubles matches and it was a treat, along with the strategising, scouting and coaching. Are you looking forward to being coached by Barboza and Yale and playing with the likes of Jijo and Mohd?

Debuffy: There’s always a chance for anything [laughs]. I’m glad fractals will be going on Team Europe, with him, Poland, Ptáček. It’ll be a very interesting laver cup. This will be my first ever laver cup in any tennis game and to have two top players that the game has ever seen as coaches makes it even more special to me. I will hope to make them proud and win my matches in dominant fashion. Jijo and Mohd are also top players of the game and having them as teammates just pushes my level up even more as I don’t want to be left behind

Interviewer: Yes, King Barboza is the self-proclaimed king of Tennis Elbow and Mystery is the GOD of Tennis Elbow, so it must be special. How would you rate the chemistry of your team? Are you friends with any of your teammates?

Debuffy: Well, with the two teammates that I know, Mohd and Jijo, one thing is undeniable and that’s their level of playing. Jijo and I go way back to even my Tennis Elbow 3 days and in our USA chat where he would constantly bagel/breadstick me. He’s one of the kindest people I’ve met through the tour and we have great chemistry. While Mohd and I aren’t the best of friends, I’m willing to put our differences aside and cheer for him during his matches in laver cup.

Interviewer: Yeah, what makes the tournament unique is that different players who may not always have similar games or close relationships are able to come together and cheer each other, and learn from each other. Interested to see who the final picks will be for Team World. It should be a fun tournament, and hopefully Europe wins! So aside from Jijo, do you have any other friends in the locker room? Life on tour can be lonely at times!

Debuffy: Well, I get along well with most players! Fractals, Poland, Squeaky, Yale (oh and how can I forget Barboza) are all players that I talk to and have good relations with. But at the end of the day, it’s only you on court and it’s only you that you can rely on.

Interviewer: Yeah, that’s the beauty of tennis, how you have to do the problem solving by yourself as you don’t have teammates, to clean up your mistakes. You seem to be an emotive player on the court, how do you think it impacts your game?

Debuffy: My favourite tennis player is Novak Djokovic so you can see where I get my emotions from. I do get upset sometimes when I make unforced errors or anticipate incorrectly but I will never give up a match. Sometimes those emotions do help me hit the ball harder and end points quicker, but in other circumstances I do lose focus and it’s something I’m working on. And who doesn’t love some drama

Interviewer: Well yeah, your matches are always interesting to watch for the emotional roller coaster at times, yet for the most part, you seem to be able to channel them in the right direction, like Djokovic. So do you keep up with others matches, and if so, who are your favourite players to watch?

Debuffy: I watch all of the top players play, but the most entertaining would have to be Barboza with his weird volleys and lobs that can make any match interesting. Also, Fractals is a close second as the winners he hits constantly are a thing of true beauty

Interviewer: Yeah, Barboza’s game does seem very similar to Kyrgios’ and that’s his main character too, always a good watch. And aside from Djokovic, who are your favourite real life tennis players to watch? Do you think watching tennis helps with Tennis Elbow, and have you been able to incorporate the game or strategy of any players into your virtual game?

Debuffy: In pro tennis my favourite players are Zverev, Sinner and Medvedev. I love players that can lose their cool but have the skills to win many tournaments. A new US player that I’m following is Ben Shelton and I love watching his matches as well as he could be the next US tennis star. In terms of strategy I think it is mostly mental, have to keep your composure when it counts and keep your level high. I do like Federer’s strategy of standing super close to baseline on return of serve and taking a gamble that way. I also love the running forehand cross court that Djokovic is amazing at, it’s something I try to incorporate as well.

Interviewer: Yeah, I do see elements of both Federer and Djokovic in your game. Yeah, Ben Shelton is fun, there’s a lot of cool players out of the US on the tour right now, two of my favourite players at the moment are Christopher Eubanks and Tommy Paul, who are always pushing Alcaraz, and they were added to the last two updates of the mod. Many people say you are Ben Shelton’s doppelgänger, what do you think of that? And aside from tennis, do you follow other sports, and have other hobbies?

Debuffy: Well Ben Shelton does have a great hair style but sadly, I don’t think I share any resemblance to him. Yeah I love American football, MMA, boxing and basketball. I’m just an all around sports fan, I love the gym a lot and nutrition. Studying to be a software engineer right now in school

Interviewer: Ah, nice, I’m a fan of many sports too, mostly (rest of the world) football and basketball, aside from tennis. It must be a challenge juggling university and a virtual tennis career at times. So, do you have any goals for the rest of the season?

Debuffy: [laughs] It’s not a struggle really, one official every two to three days during tournaments isn’t terrible. My goal is to win everything I play of course or go down in flames. Hoping to win the US and the last masters of the seasons without dropping a set.

Interviewer: These are some lofty goals there! Well, if you win everything that would include the WTSL finals, where unfortunately you got injured last season, which luckily for Squeaky, gave him his first ever appearance at the finals, as an alternate. You think you can win that too this season? You have also made yourself available for Davis Cup, you think the US has what it takes to dethrone the defending champs, Team Czech Republic?

Debuffy: Yes, of course I will win the finals as well. I think if the US gets just one more solid player (cough cough, Yale), we can win Davis cup no problem. With just me and León right now it may be some trouble as he hasn’t even installed the game.

Interviewer: Hmm, it may be tough without a partner, but definitely you would be one of the favourites. It’s gonna be tough for you to accomplish these goals, but as Nole says, don’t think limits. So before we go, I’m gonna ask you some quick fire questions! Who has the best serve on tour?

Debuffy: Ptacek

Return?

Debuffy: Myself

Interviewer: Forehand?

Debuffy: Mohd

Interviewer: Backhand?

Debuffy: Poland

Interviewer: Volleys?

Debuffy: Barboza

Interviewer: Slice?

Debuffy: Squeaky

Interviewer: Mental?

Debuffy: Fractals

Interviewer: Creativity?

Debuffy: Mystery

Interviewer: Attack?

Debuffy: Barboza

Interviewer: Defense?

Debuffy: The End

Interview: Funniest player?

Debuffy: Barboza

Interviewer: Nicest player?

Debuffy: The End

Interviewer: Best dressed?

Debuffy: Squeaky

Interviewer: Anything you would like to say to your fans/competitors or about the tour in general?

Debuffy: Thanks for everyone’s support in this community, and to my competitors: bring it!

Interviewer: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today and all the best at the US Open!