ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 17, 2021

Daniel Evans

Press Conference

S. TSITSIPAS/D. Evans

6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Overall impressions beyond today? What was it you learnt about yourself and your game in the last five or six days feelings-wise?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, it's been a good week. It's been pretty long. Yeah, it's been mentally pretty draining. Obviously you can't say it's bad to beat the world No. 1, but it was a lot -- it was pretty draining, like, the day after, the end of that day.

I could know what to expect of it more with bigger wins. Yeah, it was difficult. Today, the nature of this game at this level, especially Masters, at any time of the tournament you have to back up win after win after win if you want to go all the way.

Yeah, today was difficult. Obviously doesn't help the way he plays. He's very aggressive. So, yeah, there's still work to be done. I can't be negative about today. Just have to park that and go again really. It's been a great week.

I won't ever forget beating Novak, world No. 1. It was (indiscernible). Yesterday to back it up in a great match was good, as well.

Q. He obviously played a good level. Do you think he's a bad matchup style-wise for you in general?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, probably. I didn't serve great. I never felt serve-volleying was a good option. He sort of stands in between a clay court position and hard court position on return. He swings hard. He doesn't really hit with much shape on the first serve return, so it doesn't give me much chance to get in.

Then when he's at the back, he's obviously preying on my backhand. The ball is heavy. It's just not good, yeah.

Spot on with your analogy for once (smiling).

Q. You're up to a career high of 26 in the world on Monday. Breaking that top 20 now must surely be a realistic target for you, the benefits it will bring for your career?

DANIEL EVANS: Yeah, I mean, I don't know what benefits it will bring. No, I mean, I'm really enjoying it. I've not been home since I think before Australia. I'm really enjoying being out and playing matches. It's really helped playing doubles with Neal to sort of have a pretty good friend here. Obviously I got my girlfriend. It's been pretty nice to just be away. There's been a lot of issues in the world, and it's sort of been nice to be able to forget about it.

Granted, we're in a bubble. But it's been a pretty easy workplace to play and to live in. I've just been really enjoying it.

I've not thought too much about the ranking. I've just been working day by day. Got some more doubles this evening. See what we do there.

That's basically what I've been enjoying most is, yeah, just being out. We've been lucky. It's almost like it hasn't existed really for us. We've been in bubbles. Wearing a mask is not such a big thing. We've not really had lockdowns or whatnot. We've been lucky in a sense.

Q. Are you planning to keep on playing? You spent nearly 15 hours on court across singles and doubles this week. Are you planning on playing Barcelona where you have a bye to the second round, then Madrid and Rome, before the French?

DANIEL EVANS: Do you mean am I plan on playing singles?

Q. With fatigue levels, to put yourself in good shape for the French and grass court season, how much can you afford to play?

DANIEL EVANS: I will play Barcelona next week. I won't play Munich probably. I entered that as sort of precaution in case I didn't get enough matches. I probably got enough matches this week now with whatever happens leading into the French.

No, I mean, the doubles has been great. Especially for my serve on this surface, it's really helped. I haven't ever felt really tired, to be honest, on court. I just got out-classed today. That was it. I got out-classed. He was a better tennis player than me. It doesn't take too much to work that out.

Yeah, I'll play. I'll play as much as I can. I'll play all those events. I'll decide on Lyon or one of those tournaments before the French. Becomes tricky to go home with track and trace on the plane.

It's not the most straightforward lead-up to a Grand Slam, yeah.

Q. To what extent does what you've achieved this week change your expectations for what you can do over the rest of the clay season and at the French Open?

DANIEL EVANS: No different expectations. Just practice well, prepare well, and compete. I'm genuinely enjoying playing tennis and competing, having a good battle. I mean, some people might sit here and say every single time. I genuinely enjoy. I lost, but I enjoyed it. It's another great time on a tennis court, on a great court. I've enjoyed all the other matches.

But I prepared well. I gave myself the best chance. That's what I'll do for the rest of the season. I think on the clay, I could take some of that onto the grass. Maybe on the Grand Slams, on the hard, I've been putting a bit too much pressure, looking to really want to win. Rather than when I come out on the clay, I'm more focused on my game and trying to get that right, then the result comes. There's things to maybe take onto the grass and the hard from this week definitely.

Q. (Question about his next match with Neal.)

DANIEL EVANS: You cut out. Are you saying, how do I regroup for the doubles?

Q. Exactly.

DANIEL EVANS: No, I mean, I'd be a bit harsh if I didn't give my full efforts for Neal. I can't let my singles results have a hangover into the doubles. I have to let that go. That's part of playing singles and doubles.

Neal is good. He's good in that way. He's energetic. He's pretty levelheaded. He understands if I'm a bit flat or not great. Hopefully I hit the ball good today. Hopefully I serve a bit better and we can win the doubles. I mean, it's an important match for us both, yeah.