“It forces me to be courageous”

You seem to transcend yourself in this kind of hostile atmosphere where the vast majority of the public supports your opponent. Does it help you play your best tennis?
Helps me, I don't know, in any case, it's a good way to challenge yourself, to try to see what you have inside yourself. I like these atmospheres because it challenges me, it forces me to be courageous, to go for my matches. At Roland Garros, often, the public is behind me, so it's normal that in Australia, they are behind him. I wouldn't say that there is a lack of fair play, it's normal, it's like that every time we play in our country. But in any case, it's interesting. That's a bit of my vision of sport: trying to surpass yourself, to improve and this is a good way to do it.

“The longer the match lasts, the better it is for me. I have confidence in my physique, I have confidence in the intensity I put in”

What was your feeling at the end of a very intense first set and lost despite nine break points in your favor?
I think it's super positive. Even though I converted none, I had nine break points against a big server. It's frustrating in the sense that it doesn't go my way, but it shows that I'm putting him in danger on his service games so we had to continue to be intense. This is what I kept repeating to myself: be intense, hurt him on every point, make the match physically complicated for him. The longer the match lasts, the better it is for me. I have confidence in my physique, I have confidence in the intensity I put in. I knew there were two sets left for him to win and that it wasn't going to be easy.

Are we going to see little Isaac again
for your second round against the American Mitchell Krueger? It's possible! (Smile.) I think he's the only Australian who put up with me (mardi) evening. It's funny. I find there's a kind of selfless support among young people like that and it's really nice. They are there for the love of sport, they support me for very healthy reasons. It's up to us to inspire these children. He has a match tomorrow(Wednesday)