“You beat Schwartzman three times without losing a single set. Did you have the feeling of facing a different player?
Of course, he is much stronger. He is 9th in the world, he has just made the semi-finals at Roland Garros, the final in Rome. When I played it, I was top 10 or top 15, he was 30 or 40th. He is another opponent today. I did my best. He imposes a big pace, he plays very well on his line, he hasn’t missed anything, he plays very quickly. It was hard to lose the first set. I tried, but he was better on the court.
Does he impress you?
He’s been having a great season, he plays tennis really well. He deserves, he’s a good guy. He has perfect technique on both sides. From the baseline it’s just perfect. He doesn’t have the greatest of serves, but everything he does is perfect. Forehand, backhand, right, left, he does it with exceptional timing. He has a very good sense of the game, he is very fast. Exceptional backhand, very good forehand too. From the baseline, when you start to trade, he’s in the top three, four in the world. Intensity level, on the right, on the left, it’s impressive.
Is your season over or will you be playing in Sofia next week?
I will try to play next week if I get into the main draw, not if I have to go through qualifying.
“I’m going to play next year, after that you never know what can happen. I can stop at the end of next year, play another year. Everything is possible. As long as I can play, I will continue “
Are you happy with your season under any particular circumstances?
I lost against big players. Since the US Open, I’m losing to top 10s and top 20s. I’m doing my best. I don’t play badly, I just have to be better physically, have more rhythm, put more intensity. Against this kind of players, it is essential. I’m working on it.
“It’s nice to finish so many years in the top 50. “
By going to Sofia, you could finish in the top 50 for the 14th time in your career. Does this mean anything to you?
I’m proud to still be here at 34. I didn’t expect to play as many seasons as this. I was in the 100 in 2003-2004, I never imagined myself playing tennis in 2020. I’m happy to be here again, to be competitive, to play these great tournaments. I’m pretty proud of it. It’s nice to finish so many years in the top 50. I hope to play for a few more years, I don’t know if it will be possible. I’m going to play next year, after that you never know what can happen. I can stop at the end of next year, play another year. Everything is possible. As long as I can play, I keep going.
A word about Rafael Nadal who could win the 1000th game of his career this Wednesday?
He is one of the greatest athletes in all sports. Winning 13 Roland-Garros is one of the sport’s greatest achievements. He is certainly one of the five greatest champions in the history of the sport. There’s nothing to say, he’s still there, and I’m afraid it’s not over. “
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