US star Jack Sock will return to Auckland to defend his title won last year at the ASB Classic one week ahead of next month’s Australian Open.
The player from Nebraska said during his interview to the Stuff that the Auckland tournament played a major role at the start of his career, as the Tournament Director Karl Budge helped him by giving him a wildcard when he was outside the top 100 as a 21-year-old player in 2014. This influenced his decision to return to New Zealand to defend his title at the start of the year. In the final he beat Joao Sousa moving into the top 20 for the first time in his career.
Auckland was the launch pad of a very successful season, in which he also won in Delray Beach after Milos Raonic withdrew from the final injured. Sock lifted his maiden Masters 1000 title in Paris Bercy beating Filip Krajinovic in the final becoming the first US player to win a Masters 1000 tournament since Andy Roddick in Miami in 2010 and the first to win the Paris Masters 1000 since André Agassi in 1999. Earlier that week Sock was a game away from being knocked out in the first round, when he fell behind 1-5 against Kyle Edmund in the third set. Sock broke into the top 10 for the first time in his career and grabbed the final spot for the ATP Finals at the O2 Arena in London. He was the first US player to reach the end-of-season tournament in the British capital since Mardy Fish in 2011.
He beat Marin Cilic and Alexander Zverev to reach the semifinals at the O2 Arena before losing to eventual champion Grigor Dimitrov 4-6 6-0 6-3.
“I have great memories of playing in Auckland. They were kind enough to give me a wildcard years ago when I was starting on tour, so I always feel Auckland is a special place for me. The centre court there is a blast to play on, the crowd is enthusiastic and they are into the matches, so it’s a fun tournament to play”, said Sock.
Sock found time to relax and enjoy the off-season with his family before starting his preparaion for the next season.
“I spent time with family and friends, people close to me, to get their thoughts on it, but it’s a quick turnaround. I had a little bit of time to enjoy it and then I am right back into my work”, said Sock.
Sock ended the year as the best US player, as he is ranked world number 8 but he does not think about that too much.
“The media love to talk about it and bring it up, but I don’t think about it myself. This is an individual sport and every day I focus on myself and what I can do and control. If that means being the number 1 American that’s awesome, if not, then I am not going to lose sleep over it each night”.
The former US Open Junior champion is aiming at improving his record in singles at Grand Slam tournaments after advancing from the third round only twice at Roland Garros 2015 and the 2016 US Open. At doubles level Sock won the 2014 Wimbledon title teaming up with Canadian Vasek Pospisil. He also won the 2011 mixed doubles title at the 2011 US Open with Melanie Oudin. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro he won the gold medal in the mixed doubles with Bethanie Mattek Sands and the bronze medal in the doubles with Steve Johnson.
“There are always little goals you want to reach. Right at the beginning you want to establish yourself and then move up from there. Every time you hit little markers it’s always a good feeling and that makes yoy want for more for sure”, said Sock.
