Gilles Simon, a farewell with a smile

On Saturday, Gilles Simon played his last match at Roland-Garros. An exit in the 3rd round at the end of a 2022 edition rich in emotions for the Niçois.

Not really disappointed, despite the defeat. During the 3rd round, Gilles Simon could not fight against Marin Cilic. The Frenchman expected it a little, blunted in particular by his first marathon lap. But the essential was not there. The Niçois said goodbye to Roland-Garros, in a short Philippe-Chatrier won over to his cause. Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation, and Amélie Mauresmo, tournament director, even honored him by presenting him with a trophy.

“For me, it was just happiness in the end”

“For me, it was just happiness in the end”says the main interested party. “Despite the defeat and despite a match that I would have liked to have been more disputed and more attached. You have to know when your opponent is doing a great game and is far above. I still had the feeling of accomplishment. » Dismissed in the third round, Gilles Simon is one of the best tricolors on this Roland-Garros 2022. Above all, he has regained the taste for winning, after a catastrophic start to the year. “I said to myself that I am very lucky to be there three times in a row. For a final Roland, I couldn’t have hoped for better. »

“It was a long adventure”

Unlike Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon wants to finish the season before bowing out. But this last match at Roland-Garros necessarily occupies a special place. “It was a long adventure which will end at the end of the year. The only feeling I actually have is to be lucky to have played 17 Roland-Garros and to have played three matches in front of my home crowd for my last edition. » A tricolor public which has greatly honored Gilles Simon for a week. And who will not soon forget one of his four Musketeers.