“You will be the new French No. 1 on Monday, what does that mean to you?
It is obviously a lot of happiness and I am very honored. I hope it will bring beautiful months and good years in the future.
You have been very regular in recent months. But isn’t there a little physical counterpoint?
I manage to chain since August, it proves that it holds up physically. In terms of pure physics, it’s going very well. There is obviously a little fatigue, but no worries or physical problems. What kept me away from the courts in the spring, especially the wrist, was very complicated to manage. At times, I had no visibility, I had no idea how to get out of it. It was complicated and it took me away from the courts maybe three or four months. I didn’t do a full season either, maybe that’s why I manage to keep going, I have a little more freshness.
“I couldn’t play a single match at 100% between the beginning of February and the beginning of August, it was complicated. It often took playing with a lot of pain when I was able to play. I almost missed three months in total. It was quite a difficult time for me. »
This wrist discomfort must have caused a lot of frustration by preventing you from playing matches and tournaments?
Yes it’s sure. I don’t really like discussing it because it’s not necessarily good memories. It came to Australia and it left at the end of July. I couldn’t play a single match at 100% between the beginning of February and the beginning of August, it was complicated. It often took playing with a lot of pain when I was able to play. I almost missed three months in total. It was quite a difficult period for me. I am now 100% again. When I managed to be 100%, I always had good results, I cling to that. It means that when I’m good, the results come again and the level is there. It proves that I am capable and that there is more to continue. The wrist is behind me, I hope. I’m on the move again and I’m having fun playing tennis, it’s cool.
With your very offensive game, we imagine that you are looking forward to the indoor season.
Not especially. I was given this label when I arrived on the circuit because my first results were indoors. My trainer and I had said that I was surely very comfortable on gravel, that the results would come in due time and that I even had something to be better on gravel. From the following year, that is to say last year, I had all my best results on clay. The first top 20, top 50 that I beat was on gravel. It proved that I was also a clay court player. I played a lot in August and it was hard outdoors. I had played well last year on outdoor soil. I think it’s up to my body, hopefully, if I was able to prepare. This is where it allows me to be effective in my game and get results. I think the surface doesn’t affect my game that much, as long as I have time to prepare. »
