ROLAND GARROS

June 4, 2022

Shingo Kunieda

Press Conference

S. KUNIEDA/G. Fernandez

6-2, 5-7, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Great match today. How do you feel? What are your emotions?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Very happy, because it was a very tough match. Gustavo played very, very well.

Yeah, final set I almost lost against his strong shot, but I could come back with strong mentally. I'm satisfied about it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Congratulations. Can you just talk us through that match? There were so many comebacks, and then you were up, then you were down again. How do you stay strong enough to make sure that you are always still in the match?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Yes, was 5-3 up in second set, was perfect for me. I could control every shot and give him pressure.

But 5-3 up, then he changed, I think. He changed his style. His shot was getting stronger and stronger. It was very tough to get it and I couldn't, you know, I couldn't read his shot, where is his shot going.

So I had a lot of defense against him, so it was really tough moment. Even final set, from the beginning, he started 2-0 up and almost 3-0 up. If he got 3-Love, maybe my game was over, but I could stay at 2-1 down.

So getting better from 1-2, yeah.

Q. Obviously you have won this title many times before, but maybe not for, I think maybe not since 2018. It's been a few years. So how does this title at Roland Garros feel compared to previous titles at Roland Garros?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Yeah, Gustavo is king of clay, and Alfie is also very good on clay. Yeah, many times I couldn't win anymore here, I thought.

But today, this tournament was really good condition. I had big confidence. So, yeah, I could play with confidence is key point of the match, yeah.

Q. You are now on a bit of a Grand Slam winning streak once again. US Open last year, Australian Open this year, now here in Roland Garros. How does that feel to still be sort of even, if you don't mind me saying so, slightly older, but still at the very top of the game?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Yes, three times in a row I recognize that I'm improving now, yeah.

Q. Final question, I know that one tournament that you have not won before is the Wimbledon singles title. How much would it mean to you to go on and claim that title in a few weeks' time?

SHINGO KUNIEDA: Yeah, of course, Wimbledon is last one. I couldn't get title. So, yeah, very, very wish to win there.

Yeah, I will prepare for that. Everything put my power to there, yeah.