ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2021

Andrey Rublev

Press Conference

JL. STRUFF/A. Rublev

6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4

Q. Unlucky day today; how did you feel there in the fifth set thinking back to last year that you'd done the same thing, you'd come back from two sets down in the first round? Was that ever far from mind?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I mean, of course I was thinking that I would like to come back from 2-0, but I don't know, the fifth set I was a bit unlucky. He played that game when he broke me really well. He did I think two returns, winners, and then he had two break points and I saved them, I make it to deuce, and then he returned so hard right on the line and on the break point, full power cross-court winner return again. So was a bit unlucky.

And then when I had a chance to break him, he played well there. So you never know what's going to -- if it's going to be the same situation the next day, maybe it'll be a different story. Maybe I would save the game and when I would have break points I would make them.

Q. How were you feeling coming into the match?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I was feeling fine. I was practicing well. I don't know, I think we played good level today. It's not easy. He's a really tough opponent for the first round, really tough, plus he's playing better and better. He's improving and he's winning really great matches.

Today I think he was playing really well, so he started really good since the beginning, and that's why he won the first set.

Then the second set I think I should win, but this is tennis, and I was serving for the set and I didn't make it and then tiebreak a bit unlucky and he played well. Then I played solid, two sets, third and fourth, and then the fifth set. But I think I played good level. Was many good rallies, good intensity. Was really unlucky -- it was a really tough match, tough opponent for the first round and tough match.

Q. What are your plans now? Will you give yourself a break or will you head straight to the grass preparations?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I don't know yet. Now even myself, I don't know what to do now. I didn't spoke yet with my team, so from there we'll make a decision and we'll make a plan.