At the Accor Arena,
On the scenario of the match
“It's pretty crazy.
I had a tough match yesterday (against Ruud in the first round on Monday, editor's note), physically it was not easy, I struggled to recover.
Then I tensed at the end of the second set when it came time to wrap up.
I tried to evacuate to restart.
It was very hard during the second set, I was a little stressed and tired.
I had to finish the game.
I went through all the states, but I gave everything until the last point, I tried to serve well, and I took my chance, I was opportunistic.
Mentally, it's a great victory, I was very strong and that's what I'm proud of.
The adventure goes on."
On his physical state
“Physically, I am dead and without energy, but I am delighted, very proud of myself.
I started cramping at the start of the third set.
But I'm super happy, super proud of the match I played against one of the best players in the world.
During my match yesterday (1st round against Ruud), I still drew on my reserves.
I felt, from the start, that it was going to be hard physically.
I didn't know until when.
I played without questioning myself and adding intensity.
After 2 hours 40 minutes it was starting to get tough.
I started cramping at the start of the third. ”
On the match point refused by the referee
“I was laughing out loud.
Since the start of the third set, I was on one leg.
I thought, 'How long is this going to last?'
Then I told myself that it was not serious and I refocused well.
I've been laughing for a while.
I said to myself “this is huge”.
I took pleasure, I said to myself: I am here.
The point, I try my luck and I say to myself: it's huge, until when will this match continue?
But hey, I was ready very quickly to tell myself that it was possible that she was fault and to concentrate on the next point but, yes, I found that funny. "
On Tsitsipas
“He's a player I've known for a very long time.
We played each other once in junior.
I may see it differently.
I know where he came from.
I know he has had very good results recently.
He has been showing it for 2 or 3 years now.
I'm glad I won against him.
It had been a while since I wanted to play it again.
We saw each other at the tournaments.
I was not far from facing it.
It didn't happen.
I'm glad I did it here and especially this way. ”
His almost invincibility in the tie-breaks
"For the end of the set and the tie-breaks, I manage to mobilize myself, to increase my level of concentration, my level of requirement and then I try to play each time point by point, without thinking about the score.
I got caught up a bit in the second set, when I was leading 6-3.
It was hard at the end of the second, when I came back to the chair, but I wasn't allowed to listen to myself, I wasn't allowed to just lower my arms.
Very quickly, I managed to re-mobilize myself on the third.
Very quickly, I managed to be an opportunist, I said to myself: maybe now is the right time, maybe he will start to decline and think that he missed his chance, etc.
His
pre-game preparation
“I always listen to music before games.
I also like reading a lot, it allows me to escape a bit, I do that and as soon as I have to get into the game more, I listen to music;
I often listen to the same songs, rock, rock & roll, stuff that just motivates me. ”
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