ROLAND GARROS

May 30, 2021

Fabio Fognini

Press Conference

F. FOGNINI/G. Barrere

6-4, 6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously there is a lot of younger Italian players here, and many have given credit to you for helping them in their careers. Do you feel a responsibility to help the younger players along, given what you have accomplished?

FABIO FOGNINI: Not really. But, I mean, it's funny, because every time I'm sitting here, you ask me about these young players (smiling). So I don't know what to say anymore. I mean, I say all these things that I'm know it. I mean, I can repeat if you want because I have no problem.

I say that, yeah, I mean, probably I'm the old one now with the team. Especially Italian tennis we can say movement is could be really happy, because I think for the next ten years we're gonna be really, really good. They're gonna play really, really good.

But in the future, I don't know what I do after, I mean, I'm done with my career. But, you know, it's too early to say that probably I will do something with tennis.

But, you know, we have two really good ones, young ones, that gonna be really interesting in the future.

Q. I want to talk to you about you, Fabio.

FABIO FOGNINI: Finally (smiling).

Q. I would like to ask you first about playing on Sunday. In this Sunday start, is it something that you asked for? Is it something that you like? Do you enjoy having the long break until Wednesday after?

FABIO FOGNINI: Well, it's tricky situation or question probably, because now that the tournament, they like us play on Sunday because I think for the money because they should send it -- I mean, with the public, of course, with the people have chance to come and watch us play. But it is something that personally I don't like.

But in this case, like today I was telling to my coach it's better, because I was home, I was doing this exhibition in Mouratoglou two days, and, I mean, I was ready. Once you're here I prefer to play as soon as possible, because day by day, of course, you get in tension, you start thinking about the match, how it's work.

I'm here. I'm here to play. Doesn't matter if I play Monday or Tuesday. But generally, if you ask me about whole apple, I have to say that I really -- I mean, it's not I don't like. I understand the tournament of course, but is something that I prefer to play of course Monday or Tuesday. But this is my own small opinion (smiling).