ROLAND GARROS

June 4, 2021

Richard Gasquet

Press Conference

R. NADAL/R. Gasquet

6-0, 7-5, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You fought very hard in the second set. How did you get yourself back into it and how did you see the whole match?

RICHARD GASQUET: Yeah, I start a little bit slow, but, you know, it's never easy to play against Rafa. Even if he's the best player in the world everybody knows on clay, but, you know, he's specific player, especially with his forehand.

Is very difficult to practice with this kind of player. He's the only guy who is playing like that with his forehand topspin.

So it was really hard for me to play. I start well, 2, 3-0 I lost a little bit confidence and of course I try to fight in the second set 5-All. I'm leading a little bit in this game. So I did one or two mistakes, it could change the second set.

After that when you are losing two sets to zero it's starting to be tough. Rafa, he's an incredible player, incredible forehand. Many times I didn't play against him, still very, very powerful. I try my best, and, yeah, it was a great second set.

Q. Obviously this is not just because of you but it's been a tough Roland Garros for the French players, to say the least. Is there any particular reason why it's been this way with no French players through to the third round? Is it the end of an era, do you think? You have had such a great generation of players?

RICHARD GASQUET: Yeah, of course it's the end of an era, as you said. I'm 35. Tsonga is 36, Simon is 37, and Gael is 35. So it's normal. We are still there. It's incredible for us to play Roland Garros.

Yeah, we need more players to come. But for us, you know, it's even great to be there. Of course we are a great generation. I hope it will be the same for the French future. Now's a little bit difficult, but we have to, yeah, we have to see who's coming and I hope many players will come in the future.