Roland-Garros: "To be honest, I'm sad," says Monfils

“I just arrived on Thursday and it's my first twenty minutes out of my room.

I can't tell you much… ”Like all the participants in the tournament, Gaël Monfils underwent isolation for twenty-four hours before coming to smell the chilly air of Roland-Garros .

“To be honest, I'm sad, loose the world No. 9, who will face the Kazakh Bulbik in the first round.

The stadium is empty, the weather is not good.

The word is going to be harsh, but this is not the tournament I played before, the one I dream of with the crazy atmosphere, the supporters, the big magic.

It's going to be different in my favorite place… ”

Like all his French comrades, the Parisian regrets the almost total absence of the public.

This energy which often allows him to transcend and reverse matches.

This sacred fire that usually burns at the end of May when his relatives are there to blow on the embers.

"Obviously, it will be complicated"

“Do not walk, that does not bother me, explains the former semi-finalist.

What bothers me the most is not seeing my family.

Generally, Roland-Garros is the point of departure.

And this year it is not possible, even in September-October.

I haven't seen mine for a long time and it saddens me.

"

On the court, Monfils does not yet know which foot to dance on.

Two games played, two defeats in Rome and Hamburg.

“Apart from saying that I lost two games playing very poorly and that I am two days away from my first game here,” he smiles.

Obviously, it will be complicated.

It is not an easy situation, it is not a hopeless situation.

I have a day or two of training ahead of me, I will deal with it and hope to feel better and better.

"

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