ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 13, 2021

Daniel Evans

Press Conference

D. EVANS/D. Lajovic

6-3, 6-7, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I think that was the first tour-level clay court match you've won for maybe four years. Did it feel to you like a significant moment? Does it feel like a bit of a breakthrough for you?

DANIEL EVANS: No, I mean, I played pretty well on it last year. I played some very good players. It actually helped that I felt a bit more comfortable for the first few days on it this year because it was later in the year last year, so it wasn't so much a shock.

But, no, I mean, it's nice to win the match. I'm never thinking I'm on a clay court, I need to win this, big moment. I'm just trying to win the match, play my game and come through.

But, yeah, it was good to win. Even on the hard, I've had a little bit of a bad spell, so it was nice to win that match and get a chance to go again.

Q. We could all see what it meant to you at the end. How much of that was relief after the last few matches you've had? How hard is it when you've had some close defeats to try to put that out of your head when you get to those match points?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, I didn't think I did much wrong on the match points, to be honest. Obviously the smash, that was not my greatest moment. But the game's a tough game, isn't it? It's funny what it does to you.

Had a good smash. When you really want to get over the line, you've had a few matches where you've lost some tight three-setters, you know. It just never is easy to get over the line.

You ask anyone, it's the hardest point, the last point. Yeah, even in the last set, yeah, it was tight. I had a big lead, then got broke. It's difficult when things aren't going your way to get over the line. I was feeling it out there, no doubt.

If I get back to the smash a bit better, just put it away rather than thinking this is done, it would help.

Q. Obviously the French Open has moved back a week this year, which goes into the grass season. I know maybe you'll like clay a bit more after today, but is that frustrating at all that it's eating through the grass season, which is one of your stronger surfaces?

DANIEL EVANS: I think that's a different discussion, isn't it, that we've only got three weeks a year on grass, and you can play the whole year on clay. Yeah, it's a 500, a 250 and a Grand Slam. It would be nice if we got a few more on the grass. It's been like that for a long time.

But I think it would be nice if we got a bit more time on the grass and let the guys who like the grass have some more time on the grass. Obviously it would be nice.

But, yeah, this year it's not ideal if you do well in the French Open. Especially with the circumstances at home, it's difficult to get home. There's risks attached. It will be a long stint, so I'll have to manage the schedule.

Q. Am I right in saying that even though you're a British player, you'll have to stay in one of the player hotels for Wimbledon?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, that's my understanding of it. Yeah, if you're any nationality, I don't think there's exceptions, is there? I've not heard of any exceptions. Rightly so. If that's what it takes to get the tournament on, then yeah.

I mean, I would have no issues if some of the top guys were given a bit of leeway, past champions, et cetera, where they can stay at a house. I think they would be pretty responsible, not be out for dinner.

It's going to be a different Wimbledon, isn't it? I don't really know what to expect, but yet I'll expect they'll do a good job.

Q. Daniil Medvedev withdrew with a positive COVID test. Does that reinforce the precautions you need to take as tennis players? As a community, have people been blasé across the world the last couple weeks?

DANIEL EVANS: I mean, I can't talk on anyone else's behalf. But it's definitely in mind I'm very eager to get vaccinated, if I can. It would be heartbreaking if I tested positive for Wimbledon. It's very important to stick to the protocols in place.

Yeah, if some people are being blasé, then it ruins it for everybody else because if one person tests positive, this virus, it can go round very quickly. So seeing scenes in England yesterday, I won't be socializing any time soon.

Q. Do you have any intentions of playing Queen's?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, I have every intention to play. Yeah, for me it's one of the best tournaments of the year. It's at home, on grass. Yes, I'm looking forward to getting home, to be honest. It's going to be nice to spend some time, albeit in a bubble maybe, but in England. It's great to play on the grass, see everybody again. It would be nice, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.