ROLAND GARROS

May 24, 2022

Richard Gasquet

Press Conference

R. GASQUET/L. Harris

6-1, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Was it tough to have this rain delay, to have the match interrupted yesterday and to resume today?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I was leading 6-1, 6-2, so I still wanted to win the second set. It was important to win the second.

I still had some margin for the rest, though. The third one was quite robust, as well, so it's always good to have wins in Roland Garros.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Last year you played on central court with no public. How did it feel? Yesterday it wasn't full, but you still had some fans. How about the atmosphere? Did it change everything?

RICHARD GASQUET: Of course it has nothing to do with last year. We have had a lot of people. There is a full crowd. So we actually take much more pleasure in playing tennis. I hope that it will be the case for the 15 days to come.

This is why we play. We have a lot of emotions, especially when you have the French public supporting you.

Q. This is quite a comfortable debut win. It wasn't too tough. How about next match?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I'm playing again tomorrow, so it's important not to have a five-setter today for four hours. I would have been spent for tomorrow. So it's very important for me to be fresh, because the next player will certainly be fast.

Q. Last week you were in Geneva, and there was a lot of heat. Here it seems that the transition was quite easy to the French Open.

RICHARD GASQUET: When you have a lot of matches under your belt, then it's easier. I know what is my level of play. It's important for me, and on the tour when you play tennis you know there are different circumstances. You can have jet lag, you can have different surfaces. You can have different court conditions.

It was not obvious, but there was a lot of people yesterday, a lot of people today. It was in Paris, it was a big court, so I was highly motivated.

Q. You said that you had good sensations on court, on clay court in Geneva. Does it help to be fit physically?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I play well on hard court as well. I have no problem, whatever the surface. Clay court, however, has always been a good surface for me. But then again, when you play in Roland Garros you are much more motivated, and I hope to go further in the draw.

Q. You will play with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in doubles. What does it symbolize from the point of view of your relationship?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I have a lot of emotions thinking about this, because we have actually played together throughout our careers. We have played the Davis Cup together.

I'm part of his history, he's part of mine. And I'm really happy to play doubles with him. I asked him if he wanted to do so, and he said okay.

I think he can be proud of his career, and I'm really happy to play doubles with him.

Q. You were talking about your next opponent, seeded player No. 27, Sebastian Korda. You played yesterday. You have played today. So physically you have to hold your own tomorrow.

RICHARD GASQUET: He's part of the next gen. He will be very soon part of the top 10. He's one of the new players who can certainly win Grand Slams very soon. But I have nothing to lose. I will try to give my best.