“You narrowly escaped this Monday against Alexander Shevchenko (6-1, 4-6, 7-6) [2]6-7 [3]6-1) in the first round of Wimbledon…
It was a bad start. I stayed calm, that’s what I wanted to achieve today. (Monday). Even when I felt like I wasn’t playing at a great level, I managed to stay stable. I played a very good first set while staying very focused. Afterwards, I lost the thread a bit, I did well in the 3rd set while my opponent was serving for the set. And I played a good 5th set where I said to myself: ”Come on, get back to your forward game.” I saw that physically he was affected. It’s the first time I’ve won a match in five sets without interruption. (victories at Wimbledon against Monfils on abandonment in 2019 and Etcheverry in 2022). It’s a first.
Did you have a problem with the five-set matches?
It was a milestone to cross. I talked about it a lot to my team and my shrink. I had a hard time gaining confidence in my physique. I worked. Matches like that prove to me that I’m physically fine, that I can win matches in five sets.
“If I can stay focused, I think I can beat very good players.”
The beginning of tournaments is often complicated for you. Here is one good thing done…
A first round is never easy for me. I have trouble getting going. This match gives me confidence in my physique. There were times when I played very well, others where I was less precise. If I can stay focused, I think I can beat very good players.
In the next round you face Van de Zandschulp…
A dangerous player. He has a great serve, when he has time he plays very well. If I can push him in the end of sets, there will maybe be moments when I will have my chance. He sometimes has little lapses in concentration.
Concerning the Olympic Games, we will also see you in doubles alongside Arthur Fils.
We tried to agree to play at least one tournament before. I’m not a fan of playing doubles in a Grand Slam tournament. But this was the only opportunity to do it. We’re playing the No. 1 seeds. (Granollers-Zeballos). This will allow us to see how we are doing.”
