“Murray took up on X a journalist who, even if he was polite, wondered if it was not time for him to stop. What would you think if we wrote this about you?
I don’t care a bit. Since I was born, people have said things to me… I’m used to it! Andy, he is still fiftieth in the world (49th). Yes, he’s going through a bad period, it’s hard for him, for me too.
How do we accept being less good?
It has to become less good. Apart from (Novak) Djokovic, who wins Grand Slams at almost 37 years old (he will have them in May)… Have we ever experienced this in sport, apart from perhaps (Michael) Jordan? (Lionel) Messi plays in Miami, the others in Saudi Arabia, he is world No. 1… I can’t explain why a guy like that is so strong at that age. At 37-38 years old, normally, you are much less good than at 25. You know that. At no time did I tell myself that I would play the year I turned 38 (he will be in June). Unimaginable.
So, you don’t manage too badly…
I had some good times last year. I won a tournament (in Auckland), that extended my time a little. This year in Melbourne, during the first set against (Carlos) Alcaraz, I had sensations on the court, I had fun. I had fun being in Australia. As long as there’s that, as long as it continues a little, as long as you play great matches and win them… But there you have it, you have to win some. Last year, I beat (Stefanos) Tsitsipas (in Stuttgart). I vibrated a little more. There, you have to be able to give yourself… (he cuts). If in the next three, four months you don’t vibrate, you are no more stupid than anyone else… This will happen naturally. Over the last two to three years, I have managed to enjoy myself.
“That’s what will make me stop: physical suffering”
Was leaving the top 100 (it is currently 131st) difficult to live with?
Yes, it was a bit difficult. I knew it was going to happen one day or another. I didn’t think I would stay in the 100 for so long. I suspected that after Auckland (with the defense of his title), it would become inevitable. It’s just that you shouldn’t suffer on the court. That’s what will make me stop: physical pain. If I feel that I can no longer win a match, or if I suffer, if I can no longer arch, make the effort… Now, it’s a little harder than last year . I didn’t have good results in 2024. For three, four, months, I haven’t played very well. There was a little setback, though… Murray had it too. You feel like you have a little less legs. But you still vibrate, all the same. As long as there is a little spark… I’m happy to play in Montpellier, in Marseille. You know, I don’t have any particular pressure. When it has to stop, it will stop on its own. The good thing is that I would have given until the end and I have no regrets. I’ve already pushed back so far…
Are we thinking about an ideal ending?
When you’re French, it’s either Roland-Garros or Bercy. As did Jo (Tsonga) and Gilles (Simon). I think about it a little, but not too much.
And for the rest of this season?
I have a wild card in Doha, after that I don’t really know. Until now, I didn’t have to think about programming. That’s a bit difficult. Indian Wells, we would have to play the qualifiers, I’m not sure I’ll go there. It’s a long journey, we’ll see. For clay, you don’t really know. We don’t get wild cards all the time! You never know what could happen. When you go down the rankings, it’s a jungle.
“He won a tournament at the end of last season. He will continue. Two good years. On. Next year he will play again. For me, it’s not sure”
About Gaël Monfils
And in Challenger? You will be obliged to play…
If I win them, if I come back, if I feel that I am capable of doing something, I will do it. I’ll say it again: to get excited, to give yourself the desire to continue, you have to win matches, it shouldn’t be a chore physically. Otherwise, you have to stop.
Are you talking about it with Monfils?
He’s a little better, though. I feel it better than I do!
There, he doubts a little…
He doubted his whole life. (Laughs.) He won a tournament at the end of last season. He will continue. Two good years. On. Next year he will play again. For me, it’s not sure.
In Marseille, you are accompanied by Georges Goven…
He came with me before, it went well. It’s a helping hand. We’ve known each other forever. There, he advised me to relax the tension on the rope, to drop two kilos. I didn’t hit the ball well in Montpellier, we’ll see. I’m going to be at 22 tension, the balls are heavy. It’s not bad to change a little. »
2024-02-05 09:14:25
#Richard #Gasquet #tour #Marseille #months
