"It's silly, but I have the impression that it smiled on me a little more than usual against the best players in the world", estimated Gaël Monfils, at the end of his qualification for the 8th finals in Indian Wells at the expense of Daniil Medvedev, Monday (4-6, 6-3, 6-1).
He will face the great Spanish hope Carlos Alcaraz (18, 19th in the world) this Wednesday, in a tournament he plays in a delicate context, while his wife Elina Svitolina is devastated by the conflict which is ravaging her country, Ukraine.
" What changed ?
I had a good game.
I managed to stick to my tactical plan from start to finish.
I know that people want to hear a rational thing, but in fact, it smiled at me in the important moments.
I went there, I was rewarded a little.
He was frustrated.
He gave me the second break very quickly in the 3rd set, ”explained the Frenchman (35 years old, 28th in the world), often inclined to see this type of match against Top 10 players escape him, as at the Australian Open against Italian Matteo Berrettini.
“I covered my ground well.
I made the rhythm changes at the right times to try to destabilize him.
I served less hard, to be more precise.
I let him play, also create from time to time, because I felt like running,” he added.
To tie the game one set all, Monfils served for the second time in the match underhand and Medvedev fouls on his rushing return.
Svitolina “really grateful to all the people who defend Ukraine”
“He is really, really far (in his placement).
It's stupid, but it's tactical!
It is far, we have just done a rally, I am trying it, confided the Frenchman, who, reduced by an illness, comes out of five weeks without playing.
It's like a cushioning.
And on the set ball, I touch it a little less well, but I put a lot of effect.
We had also just made a long point, he threw himself on it a bit.
“For Monfils, “the real turning point is the first break of the third set.
Behind, I felt a change.
He was a bit off, he was complaining.
He broke his racquet, he was a little annoyed with his forehand.
Inevitably, when you have this information, you try to press on it”.
Asked about the difficult context linked to the war in Ukraine, the country of his wife Elina Svitolina, Monfils confided: “It is not easy to see my in-laws suffer.
It was hard to watch my wife cry every night.
I try to support her, to carry her.
I am there for her, for her family.
I would do anything for them”.
Eliminated in the first round of the tournament, Svitolina continues to play on the circuit, donating her winnings to her country's army.
She also participated, in California, in the charity event "Tennis with the Stars", the profits of which will be donated to support funds for refugees from the war in Ukraine.
“I am really happy that we were able to organize this event to raise funds and help people who are in need, she explained then.
I am really grateful to all the people who defend Ukraine and the people living in Ukraine who are going through difficult times right now.
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