NITTO ATP FINALS

November 19, 2021

Nicolas Mahut

Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Pala Alpitour, Torino

Press Conference

MAHUT-HERBERT/Soares-Murray

6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The new venue, you played the Finals in London, won it there, what has your experience been like here? What kind of support as doubles been getting at this venue?

NICOLAS MAHUT: Well, first of all it's not easy to compare this event to London because it's the first year. London I think at the end was the best event we can have on the ATP Tour.

They still have a lot of work to do, but it's the first year so it's not easy for them to compare. They have done a great job. The atmosphere is great. Of course, I'm pretty sure if we come back next year it would be even better.

Q. There's been a lot of spectators for doubles?

NICOLAS MAHUT: Yes, I was very surprised for doubles, honestly.

Go ahead.

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: No, actually there's a good crowd here. I feel like the Italians, they love tennis. They're big tennis fans. It's nice to come in this country and play here.

What we have to say also is that, yeah, it's pretty special. It's the first year. It's still a COVID year. It's still a special way of organizing an event. I think, yeah, they've done a good job for a first year.

Q. Nicolas, you're one of the first people on Twitter to speak about Peng Shuai. Pierre, the other day you posted as well. We've seen strong statements from Steve Simon from the WTA where he says if we don't start knowing more information, the WTA will not go back to China. In your opinion, do you think the ATP should make a similar statement or do you think the ATP should operate there if this situation continues?

NICOLAS MAHUT: First of all, I think Steve Simon showed a great leadership on this situation. I really appreciate his statement. I think the ATP followed very fast. I'm pretty sure they will walk on the same path. That means if we don't have any news, if the situation is still the same, I think ATP would be on the same path as WTA.

Personally I think that's what we should do. Personally, I won't play in China if the situation is the same. But we have to be united. The president of ITF, he didn't say anything. I'm expecting him to do like Steve Simon. Well, I hope he will (indiscernible) up very soon.

Q. While you were playing, there's a very small statement from the ITF that came out.

NICOLAS MAHUT: I read the statement.

Q. I saw you tweeted about Thomas Bach, the IOC president. Do you think the silence of the IOC is a big deal at the moment?

NICOLAS MAHUT: For me so far it's really embarrassing to not speak out. They should say something few months before Olympics in China. I hope they will do something soon.

Q. Regarding Davis Cup, you are playing in Innsbruck, which is one of the places that things right now are changing so fast in Austria. It's going to be played behind closed doors. It affects you guys playing behind closed doors. Numbers are crazy, you have to be vaccinated. Your thoughts on Davis Cup, playing in Innsbruck?

PIERRE-HUGUES HERBERT: For sure we're sad to play behind closed doors. Davis Cup was a competition where we could play in front of incredible crowds. It has not been the case for France the past years.

In Madrid we didn't play in front of a full stadium, I would say, or more. It was almost on closed doors.

For sure it's sad. I'm sad for Austria, they have so many cases. I'm sad for the competition that it cannot be a full party. But it's representing our country, it's representing France, so we're going to go there and give our best.