“What satisfaction do you get from this victory?
You always have to make a big effort to get by at this stage of the competition. I knew that with (Holger) Rune, I would have a player in form in front of me. I didn’t feel the best the day before as I said after my match, but it was much better this time. It was a bit average at the start and as the match progressed my energy level increased which is a positive signal.
“I thought at the end of the match about what happened last year but I managed to stay calm, to make the right serves and choose the right shots. »
How do you explain that your matches are often stuck?
We both have the same style of play which makes our matches enjoyable to watch for the fans. For us, it’s a bit like playing against yourself in front of a mirror. This match was a lot like last year’s final.
At the end of the match I thought about what happened last year but I managed to stay calm, to make the right serves and choose the right shots. He was really going for it, he increased his speed at the end of the match. He was more aggressive, coming to the net, to shorten the points. I had the break in the third set like last year and it crossed my mind. At 3-2, 4-3, 5-4, I was thinking about what happened while trying to stay in the present which I managed to do. It’s a great victory which was decided on one or two points and I’m happy to still be in the table.
“Boris Becker has contributed positively to stabilizing his game. We all know he has a bright future ahead of him. I know he wants to win Grand Slams and he is one of those players who has the ability. »
It’s never easy to beat him…
I know the feeling I try to impose on other players, by forcing them to always hit one more shot. This is the case for us and that’s why we are always neck and neck. He is so strong in many areas of the game. On the fly, he has a fantastic hand, a big serve, a kick serve…
He has everything, he feeds off the energy of the public, he is very dynamic. I saw his previous matches, I knew he was in good shape. Boris (Becker) has contributed positively to stabilizing his game. We all know he has a bright future ahead of him. I know he wants to win Grand Slams and he is one of those players who has the ability. I hope we will have these kinds of exciting matches again. »
2023-11-03 22:53:24
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