He confides before challenging Briton Cameron Norrie for a second career ATP final.
You haven't played since Tuesday night. What have you done for three days? Is the watchword “recovery” at the end of the season?
“I first thought about resting after my marathon match (2h34) against Jan-Lennard Struff, I almost finished at midnight. I just had one more day to train. I didn't spread out, unfortunately I couldn't take the time to visit Metz. I'm tired, like everyone else on the circuit at this time of the season. But I also played less than the others, since I missed two Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I am keen to finish 2024 well. I love playing in France, it gives me wings. I feel the support and strength of the public during my matches. This is definitely an added advantage. »
Did you know, with Andrey Rublev's withdrawal, that you were competing with Jan-Lennard Struff for a place in the semi-finals of this Moselle Open?
“I only learned the information shortly after my victory. I didn't know Rublev's package was official. There was no impact on my match. I was really in my bubble, focused on this match against a very good player. I have enormous respect for him. He has a great attitude and a lot of qualities: he hits hard and he is very aggressive on the pitch. I lost our last confrontation of 2023, at the Bordeaux Challenger. I knew it was going to be complicated, but that I had my chances. I had to put out a good match while keeping my concentration until the end. There was some great tennis on the court and it's always a pleasure to emerge victorious from such a fight. »
Do you feel that people's outlook has changed since your round of 16 at Roland Garros?
” I don't know. It is certain that I have more exposure than at one time. I am still the same, with my faults and my qualities. One day I will be judged for this. The next one, I'm complimented. I really try to ignore what is said about me and do as much as possible on court. I don't cheat. I try to give back what people give me. In any case, it’s a pleasure to share all my emotions with the public. »
Are you tired of people constantly talking to you about your personality and your duality on and off the court?
“I can’t control what people say about me anyway. I think there are other, more interesting things to see about me and my game than pointing out my attitude on the court. I know very well that I am not perfect. I'm the first to be affected by this. I try to do my best and control myself, but it's part of me. And then, it's the law of sport. You win, you're good. You lose, you're bad. But one thing is certain: we are not necessarily a better person when we win and vice versa when we lose. »
With your very aesthetic game, do you realize that you give a lot of pleasure to the spectators? “Making people happy”, is that also your vision of tennis?
“If people like my tennis and have fun, so much the better! I don't make beautiful stitches on purpose, I just try to do my best. Afterwards, it is certain that I love these moments of euphoria and even more to share them with the public. »
Is tennis today too sanitized for your taste?
“Players become so, because the system forces us to be so. We don't have the right to say much compared to other sports. On the ground, you can't express yourself too much. Outside, neither. I think we need to give players more freedom to express themselves, to simply be themselves. I sometimes feel that being yourself is a flaw in this profession. We are constantly trying to channel ourselves, to make ourselves as smooth as possible to make as few waves as possible. I find that a bit of a shame. Afterwards, it is mainly a question of interpretation. The public and the media sometimes misinterpret a gesture or words. We also need to protect ourselves. »
Victim of a wrist injury in 2023, you went down to 173e world place. You have gained more than 100 places in one year. Did you think you would experience such a season?
“It took me a little over a year to get back on track. I expected my ranking to drop, even though my goal was to stay among the top 100 players on the planet. I didn't manage to stay there last year, but with one hand, it's a bit complicated. I did backhands that look like something back in March of this year. Regaining use of my right wrist was a first goal. I know that work always pays. I work really hard every day, because I have high ambitions. For that, my body must be able to perform. If that's the case, I know I have the tennis to move up the rankings. This is just the beginning. I'm around 70e world place even though I missed two Grand Slam tournaments. I hope my body will leave me alone in the coming months. »
Despite this rise in the rankings, you have decided to part ways with your coach, the Serbian Petar Popovic. For what ?
“We both needed something else. We had a nice journey. We weren't necessarily very lucky either, as I injured and broke my right wrist during our first tournament together. There were ups and downs, but he supported me enormously on this path which was complicated. He accepted that I play with one hand. Our paths separate, but we parted on good terms and I wish him the best for the future. On this Moselle Open, I am simply accompanied by my physical trainer and my physiotherapist. »
You participated in the Olympic Games, an incredible experience. What do you remember three months later?
“It’s one of the best moments of my life, sportingly. It was a dream to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris. It had been in the back of my mind since it was announced. I started from afar, but I earned my place in the French team thanks to my round of 16 at Roland-Garros. It's even more beautiful. Participating in the opening ceremony with all the other French athletes is indelible. »
Today you face the Briton Cameron Norrie to reach the second ATP final of your career. You won your last confrontation in the tie-break of the third set in the first round of the Rolex Paris Masters 2022. What kind of match are you expecting?
“I remember this meeting very well. I had produced some great tennis. We finished around 3am. He's a very good player, ex-8e world player who has competed in the Masters in the past. It is possible to go for victory. I will play with my qualities and give my best. »
You have never won an ATP tournament yet. Would achieving this at this Moselle Open be a form of achievement?
“I see it more as a first step. I'm already going to play my first indoor semi-final. I only played one final in my career, before Covid, in Doha (Qatar) in 2020. I really want to bring home trophies, win tournaments and titles. I feel capable of it. I did it among the juniors, I want to do it among the adults (laughs). I still have plenty of things to improve in my game to dream of great titles. It's clearly in the back of my mind. »
