Open Blot de Rennes (Challenger 100)
At 40, after having (almost) won everything, how do you still find the taste for competition and do you maintain such a level of professionalism?
It is above all a passion! I like to train, prepare, push my limits. The real challenge is precisely to remain competitive at 40. I am lucky to live from what I like, to feel strong emotions on tournaments. I was told that there would be people here, and that’s what pushes me too. I love competition, and I love everything you need to get there, so for me it’s like an ease we will say!
You are often described as one of the last “romantic” or “old -fashioned” players. What do you think of the evolution of the circuit and the players that look more like machines?
“Old -fashioned”, surely because I’m old (laughing)! Generations should not be compared too much. I really like Alcaraz, it varies a lot, creates the game, it makes the show in terms of its racket so it is beautiful to watch and, for me, it is far from being a robot! Today, it is true, the playing conditions are more homogeneous everywhere, so players adapt and often evolve in a more standardized register.
Whenever you enter a short, something happens. The public adores you, sometimes more than the younger generations, right?
Age, still (laugh)! I’m 40 years old, I’ve been playing for over 20 years. I experienced so much with the public that I necessarily created a link, especially in France, thanks to what I accomplished by winning Roland-Garros. I have woven this link over the years, and I think people are still happy to see me play. Young time you have to give young people to find their place, but in my opinion, Alcaraz is the best possible personality to represent tennis.
You still play a lot and very well. But how do you see the rest? Coach, TV consultant?
I have lots of desires, some projects already underway, in tennis and also elsewhere. But my goal remains to end my career as best as possible. I am 100 % in what I do, it requires sacrifices, discipline. For the moment, no end date is planned!
How do you look at French tennis today?
French tennis is very strong, very dense. Many players are there, who grow at the door. France has a huge chance of having Roland-Garros and a large federation. We all hope that a French player will soon win a big home. But nobody has the recipe, it is sometimes played out very little.
Aside, the Malouin Manuel Guinard told us that you were very good in Tennis-Ballon. Would you be ready to face three players from Stade Rennais for this little game?
Absolutely not (laugh)! I suck in football! I am a competitor, I tear myself away, I give everything, but there I will be humiliated.
Entry in the running, this Tuesday, not before 7 p.m. against French Kenny de Schepper
