OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 9, 2022

Vasek Pospisil

Press Conference

T. PAUL/V. Pospisil

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. A little bit of a problem with consistency today. A lot of winners, but a lot of unforced errors.

VASEK POSPISIL: Yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah, just wasn't one of my best matches for sure. Tommy played his match. He didn't play anything that was so exceptional that I couldn't have given myself a better look.

But yeah, wasn't the best of matches. Had good moments, but not consistent, like you said.

Q. Did the rain delay impact your preparation at all? Does it take a while to get going when there's a delay like that?

VASEK POSPISIL: Not really. It's kind of like a little annoying before the match. But, no, it didn't really affect. I wouldn't say it affected much. We got enough heads up to be mentally ready to get on the court.

But, yeah, it's just one of those things you have to adapt to.

Q. A quick one, kind of a non-tournament question. I'm sure you've heard the news, Serena Williams announcing retirement after the US Open. You shared a mixed doubles court with her. Is there a memory or something that sticks out to you when you think back to your time with her on court?

VASEK POSPISIL: I mean, yeah, of course. Yeah, a good memory playing against her and Isner. I was playing with Genie at the Hopman Cup. That was good.

The memory I have of her is after the Olympics. We were still exchanging pins between countries. I took a U.S. pin from her, and I don't think I had a Canadian one on me. She was like, All right, I'm going to hunt you down if you don't get me that pin (laughter).

I actually don't remember, but I don't think I ended up getting her that pin. Yeah, she was super nice. It was nice.

But, yeah, it's sad for tennis, of course, that she's retiring. She's one of the greatest players in the history of our sport. Yeah, tennis will miss her for sure.

Q. Was that in Rio or London?

VASEK POSPISIL: That was Rio. Yeah, I can't remember which event, but an event after. She wanted the Canadian one, for the record. She approached me for the Canadian one (smiling). It was a very nice pin.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Maybe it was a lack of consistency? Is it difficult when you come back, difficult to find consistency in your game?

VASEK POSPISIL: I believe I hit the ball well, but I haven't found a rhythm in the matches. Even before the tournament. I had some physical problems. This is the reason.

Before this week I was not able to be confident, to be in a good rhythm for the matches. During the match, I didn't have any physical problem, but it was not a clean match. That's the way it is. It's not easy to always play well.

For the time being what I'm looking for is to find a good rhythm, good timing on the court. I knew it was going to be difficult this week because I was not feeling well on the court during practice in the past days. I tried.

But even on the court it's difficult to know whether I should stay calm or play with the crowd, use the momentum. It's not easy to know what you have to do in these moments. When it becomes difficult for you, what happens in your mind makes it more complicated. You should normally play with your instincts instead of thinking too much.

When things turn around in your mind, it's not good. You're not in a good rhythm. That was the problem. I know that even in the upcoming weeks it's not going to be easy for me.

I practice very hard. That's not the problem. I work very hard on the court every day. I know it's going to come, but I have to be patient.

Q. How was your elbow?

VASEK POSPISIL: My elbow was 100% during the past three weeks. No problem.

I played some tournaments on hard courts that are not very good for my game. What happened is that I had cramps. In the past two tournaments, I won the first set, then I started cramping. I was not able to play several matches in a row.

It's not only that. There are several things.

Q. How would you describe your mindset? Are you sad? Frustrated? Angry? You had a lot of success here in the past. How do you feel?

VASEK POSPISIL: I'm not frustrated. I was frustrated a week ago. Now I'm rather in the mood of acceptance, just saying, Okay, it's going to take more time than I thought.

I'm a bit sad, for sure. That's the way it is. It's been a while now that I wasn't able to play at the high level that I know I can play. I think it's been a year. I still have that level in my hands, in my body. I'll see if I can get it back.

Q. Do you know what your schedule will be from now on?

VASEK POSPISIL: I still have doubles here. I'll play a challenger in Vancouver. I will play the quallies in the US Open for the first time in 11 years I think. After that Davis Cup in Spain.

Q. How is your health? Do you experience pain during the match?

VASEK POSPISIL: No, the health was good today. It was not a problem today.

Q. What does it take to win a match like this?

VASEK POSPISIL: Honestly, I could better answer your question if I had been able to play at my normal level. If I play at my normal level, then I maybe might have won that match. I don't know.

I could say I didn't have this, I didn't do that. Today I didn't play at my level. I mean, how can I say it? I didn't play at the level that will allow me to answer your question.