ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 5, 2021

Hugo Gaston

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/H. Gaston

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. I guess you're quite proud of this match, but do you have regrets, especially after this first set when you're 40-Love?

HUGO GASTON: Yes, I think about it. That's the only time where I could actually have some regrets. I haven't seen this point again, but I have to do better in the future.

When you play the second-best player in the world, the slightest error is incredible. But I have to think about what I have done during this match, during the tournament. I'm still happy about what I have done so far.

Q. What kind of memories will you keep from this tournament? I guess the crowd, but can you tell us about everything you will keep in mind?

HUGO GASTON: First of all, the public, the crowd. It was incredible to hear the crowd that chants your name. But also all of my close relatives who came here to watch me play.

It's never easy to play loose. I have to thank them for their support. It's great to play tennis in front of such a crowd. This is why I play tennis.

Q. You have talked about something more personal, but regarding tennis, what lesson have you learned?

HUGO GASTON: I need to play and put a lot of pressure on my tennis, because it's actually quite hard to play in front of a huge crowd. I have to be able to manage the crunch moments. I felt good on court. There is a bit of disappointment, because I'm a competitive player who would have liked to win. This is what I remember.

Q. Everything will go fast after, what, you'll go to ATP, you will go to Milan, and you will certainly be selected for the Davis Cup. Is everything coming too fast, or is it just incredible?

HUGO GASTON: I have the NextGen coming up on Tuesday. It will be a wonderful tournament for me. I think we will have a lot of fun. As for the rest, I don't know what will happen for the moment.

I'm preparing for the interclubs, but I haven't had any discussion with Sebastien so I'm not selected yet. The first objective is next week. Even though it's not an official tournament and I will not gain points for the race, but it will be fun to play in a pretty room against very good players.

Q. I'll try to make you think about the future. Not only are you going to be one of the top 100, but you're going to be 65th. So you have become this model for the other professional young players. What is your objective tomorrow? What do you want to become ultimately as a player?

HUGO GASTON: The first objective was to be ranked, to be among the top 100. That was my first objective, which I have reached. Then I'll go step by step.

I have no limit. I'll try to go as far as I can. I'll talk about it with my coach. We're very ambitious, but we want to go slowly but surely.

I don't know which ranking I will have, but I'll try to climb the ranking little by little, and then we will see.

Q. What does the Davis Cup represent for you, having the French shirt?

HUGO GASTON: Well, it's a lot of pride. I was selected, and I did the Youth Olympic Games, so having actually "France" on your shirt is something crazy. I'm playing tennis also to play the Davis Cup.

I watched the Davis Cup when I was a kid. It's a dream. So it means a lot of things for me.

Q. Have you talked about the Masters NextGen with Ugo Humbert when you came here two years ago? Because it is quite a different format.

HUGO GASTON: We had talked about it a little. He told me that it was fun, that it was good experience, and I'll see. I'm sure that we will be well treated, that it will be a wonderful tournament, wonderful week.

I don't know how things will look like. The playing format is different. I'll have to adjust myself. But it will be a great atmosphere. It will be fun.

Q. You'll also need to recover because you're certainly spent after all these matches.

HUGO GASTON: Yes, I need to recover, but I also want to enjoy myself, because it's also a good thing to enjoy, and I also need to be in shape for the tournament, of course.

Q. Congrats on everything you have done so far. Are you surprised by everything you've achieved?

HUGO GASTON: Well, the way I managed and handled the matches is good. Every key pivotal moment of the matches is something that I managed well.

I'm very satisfied with what I have achieved, but also, I'm very satisfied with my fitness, because I have always played long matches, and I always managed to stay fresh.

Q. Do you think that you'll be able to push even further next time?

HUGO GASTON: Well, I'll try elsewhere of course to play tournaments and showcase my skills. I know that I have played well elsewhere. We'll see.