Alexander, this time you are there. A first reaction?
“The mission is accomplished. I had this goal in mind since the start of the season and I think I played some good tournaments to get here, even if everything was not perfect. The players here deserve their place. The absences of João Fonseca and Jakub Menšík (Editor’s note: the first two seeds) obviously increase our chances.”
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What do you think of your draw?
“It’s nice to face players that I have already met in the past, with the exception of Justin Engel. They are all very good guys. I don’t think there is a good or bad draw: the level is solid. For my part, I hope to put on good performances. I have prepared well over the last three weeks and I intend to use, in the match, everything we have worked on on a technical level.”
What are your ambitions in this very special tournament?
“Win! Since I’m second seed, I can say that. I feel good and I have the feeling that the level is there. I’ve already beaten many of my competitors. And even against Learner Tien, who is higher ranked, I know it’s possible. They’re not robots, they’re humans like me.”
For me, it’s not the end of the season but the start of the next one.
Do you still have fuel in the tank to conclude this long and demanding season?
“I don’t see this meeting as the end of the season, but rather as the beginning of the next. Between the Davis Cup in Bologna, the training period that followed and this week in Jeddah, I finally benefited from more than a month of preparation. Having the opportunity to play a few matches before Australia is also very interesting. The last two years, I arrived there with little rhythm after almost two months without competition, and I felt it, especially in Canberra where I didn’t get good results.”
You are the first Belgian to compete in the Next Gen ATP Finals. What does this mean to you?
“It’s an honor, but it doesn’t fundamentally change things because I have always been among the best in my age categories. Let’s say that it is above all confirmation, for me, that I am on the right path.”
Gilles-Arnaud Bailly is in Saudi Arabia as a first reservist. Did you interact with him?
“He arrived on Sunday evening, but we haven’t had the chance to train together yet. We talked before the tournament and, obviously, it’s frustrating for him to be here as a substitute, especially since there wasn’t much missing for him to be in Engel’s place. Some players, like Basavareddy or Prižmić who had knee problems, are not 100% physically. So there could be opportunities from here Friday if he can play, it would be a really good thing for him financially too.”
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Exactly, how important is this check (€130,000, excluding winning bonuses) to you?
“It allows additional room for maneuver for next season, in particular to strengthen my team. Being able to integrate a physiotherapist on a daily basis or bring in a physical trainer for certain tournaments is essential. The better you take care of yourself and prepare yourself, the more you can chain tournaments, win matches and progress quickly in the ranking. Besides, the tournament does not offer any ATP points, I would be lying if I said that I do not play at all for money. In the end, it is my job.”
One last question: how are you enjoying your stay in Jeddah?
“I didn’t expect such an international and modern city. Everything is huge, very clean, perfectly organized. The hotel facilities are incredible, among the best I’ve had so far. For only eight players, the level of support and security is impressive. At the airport alone, there were four guards to accompany us. So far, this is definitely one of my most memorable experiences.”
