ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 2, 2021

Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/P.H. Herbert

6-7, 7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. What is your state of mind after this match?

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: The end was catastrophic after 2 hours and 51 minutes of intense fight. It was a fantastic tennis match, and I was not far from taking advantage. It was a beautiful match. What a pity to finish like I did. It's really terrible.

Q. It's difficult to ask a question after such a match. I have the impression that you fought until the end. This year you have seen victories that just escaped from you. Did you have the impression after Roland Garros that you have the same feeling? Second part of my question, in terms of ranking, it's a problem because you'll come out of the top 100. What is your battle plan to try and have the cut for Australia?

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: Well, you well summarized the situation. This match is a lot like the season I had this year. A lot of matches, especially important matches, in Grand Slams or Masters 1000 where I just missed by not far, excellent results against excellent players.

In Grand Slam, a lot of defeats in five sets, against Sinner, against Andujar in Wimbledon, and then against Mannarino in US Open, two sets love, broken. So it's exactly like my season.

But then it's true that it was a beautiful tennis match today. My game level was excellent today. It's just awful to finish like I did, but I will take away the 2 hours and 53 minutes of excellent tennis.

As for my battle plan, it's over for me. The singles season is over. This was my last match, because afterwards, I'm going to Turin Masters with Nicolas in doubles and then there is Davis Cup, so whatever happens, my ranking won't change.

Q. I have a short question. You received reusable bottles this year. What do you think of this new system?

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: It's a bit less convenient for players, but I think today it's a good decision to do this. We will have to get used to it.

At the same time it's true the number of plastic bottles that were thrown away, especially the very small water bottles, small Vittel bottles where you drink three sips and then you throw the bottle away as if nothing. The fact of obliging us to be more environmentally responsible is an excellent initiative.

Of course at some point I had filled up four reusable bottles and I had to refill my bottle at the middle of the third set. Well, we get our towels, we fill up our water bottles, so we are becoming more responsible.

Q. Can I ask you your opinion regarding Carlos Alcaraz, considered a phenomenon, is it your opinion? What is impressive about him?

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: Well, yes, he's a phenomenon because he's winning with maturity, which is extraordinary for his age. He has results that only the best were able to have at his age, so he's an excellent tennis player.

Regarding today's match, I really felt that at some point in time he found his pace and found his game again. Because during the first set, on my side I was not playing so well. During the beginning of the match, he broke me and he almost gave me the break back to enable me to come back to 4-3. Then there were a bit more errors in the first set, and then it's true that I no longer had this feeling after the second -- well, during the second set he was present in the important moments, he made very few unforced errors, he reduced them, and I was not able to seize the few occasions because he played very well.

So he impressed me indeed with his maturity for his age. But I knew that. He's already a confirmed player.

Q. Despite the frustration, as you were saying, your excellent game level, is that positive for your doubles with Nicolas?

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: For the doubles for Nicolas, is that what you mean?

Q. Yes.

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: Well, with Nicolas, will be happy to join together, because haven't played together since the US Open. So it's true that I have spent a lot of time on the court. I feel quite well. So I bet we will be able to have a good level together.

But today I played excellent tennis match but I was not able to win. It's a very high level here in Bercy, so we will see what happens. But I'm very happy to play again with Nicolas in doubles so I have a sort of second chance in this tournament to try and stay as long as possible.