TMS MONTE CARLO

April 16, 2005

Richard Gasquet

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

RICHARD GASQUET: It's very clear that I was close to the final, but I feel tired. I gave my best. At 2-Love I thought I might be able to make it, but it was my 17th match. He went out of his way to get this match. He played winners. I have to give him credit for this victory.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, I played my best because it was a semifinal, and against Nadal on top of it. I'm proud of what I did today. I have no regrets. He went out to grab this victory, and I just hope it will be my turn next time.

RICHARD GASQUET: Even if I had been more fresh, he might have been able to win all the same, but at least I would have had more chances. In spite of the fact that the result was 6-3 in the third, I regret nothing.

RICHARD GASQUET: It was already very good to come out of the quallies, but the match against Federer was just fabulous.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, I'm 18 and I'm in the semis. I was here when I was 12, 13, 14; therefore, it's super.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, I'm confident. I have a lot of experience. I feel well physically and tennistically, and I feel good in my mind.

RICHARD GASQUET: It was a beautiful week. The victory against Federer was a dream. Already, when I was in the quarters, I thought it's already wonderful. But after Federer, I thought it was incredible.

RICHARD GASQUET: I know I must continue. We'll be practicing a lot. I always have been serious about that, even during the six months when things were not going so well for me. There's no reason why these results will not continue.

RICHARD GASQUET: I'll have some rest because I'm not going to Barcelona; I can't go. But I'm going to Rome and Hamburg and then Paris.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. It was my 17th match in three weeks. At 7-6, 2-Love, I didn't feel so good, and he was sending back every ball. I had breakpoints, but he made very good passing shots then and I was not very lucky. I gave everything I had.

RICHARD GASQUET: No. It wasn't a problem for me if I lost the final tomorrow.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, but I was tired. I was not lucid anymore, and he played very well on those particular points. There's nothing to say.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. Even at 5-4 when I was coming back I believed I could make it. I tried never to let go of that set, even when I was down 5-2.

RICHARD GASQUET: The pain is due to the number of matches I've been playing. It's only sore muscles.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, because I'm an aggressive player and I play many winners. He never changes his rhythm. I knew I could dictate the game, but he was very present physically. If I had felt better physically, I would have had more chances because I was doing well in the second set. But he was able to send back some balls that nobody else could send back.

RICHARD GASQUET: No! Best-of-five! Against Coria!

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, I know I can face a player like Nadal, and I know I have possibilities of winning against such a player.

RICHARD GASQUET: No, I know what pressure is. I am able to manage it. My level is there. The only thing I must not do is be inconsistent.

RICHARD GASQUET: No, it was mainly a great surprise. It made me feel confident.