Tennis: "Me, I always have the same ambitions", assures Lucas Pouille

Absent from the circuit since the fall, Lucas Pouille, 24th in the world, took advantage of his Monday to visit in the Aube the factory of his new equipment supplier Le Coq Sportif, with which he signed a long-term contract. The former French n ° 1, semi-finalist in Melbourne last year, is looking forward to returning to competition but does not want to rush things.

Where are you with your right elbow injury?

LUCAS POUILLE. He is fine. I try to take my time taking care of myself properly. I resumed service a few days ago and I hope to return to competition very quickly without stopping the date (note: he has not yet retired from the Montpellier tournament next week) . The next few days will be decisive.

Did you resume too early in Saudi Arabia exhibitions?

It was the only way to test yourself on matches nine days before going to Australia. I did not use it fully and the pain returned the same evening. The elbow would never have been ready for Melbourne.

How do you live the Australian Open where you reached the semi-finals in 2019?

I did not think about the points to lose and the fall in the standings. It’s part of the game. But it’s a blow when you can’t start again. If I play another ten years, it's been ten Australian Open. There, it's one less ... After, my absence allowed me to do things that I'm not used to: staying at home, enjoying my family ... The positive is that I a huge urge to play and I'm going to spread the knife between my teeth.

💪🏻👊🏻! I already appreciate the tailor-made 😊 #LCSFamily https://t.co/eCdj2ilkOA pic.twitter.com/3sDfEPY2ru

Will 2020 be a pivotal year on the circuit?

We say that every year! But Federer is 4th in the world at 38, Rafa remains Rafa at Roland-Garros and when we see how Djokovic is playing at the moment… On the other hand, the young people are arriving and there are many contenders. Within five years, it should be reduced and there will be openings. I always have the same ambitions. Winning a Grand Slam remains my goal.

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Are you worried about the state of French tennis?

There are cycles. We can't always have fifteen guys in the top 100. We were badly used to it, we had four players in the 10 and almost nobody did it. We are not as good but I don't know if we should be worried. If it is, 14 year olds will hatch and be monstrous. Among young people, we must be in the most successful. Afterwards, you have to keep continuity. It is when the player is left to himself that we see if he has the desire and the character to get out of it. When you are alone in a tournament, in difficult conditions, without pickers, with balls that become grapefruit ...

Do you have a role to play with young people?

Create the best possible image, motivate them and make them want to outdo themselves when I train near them. If I am asked to speak to them, I will do so with great pleasure. But at some point, it comes from you. We can repeat things to you for hours, as long as you haven't decided you don't ...