TMS MONTE CARLO

April 15, 2005

Richard Gasquet

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

RICHARD GASQUET: I thought I was about to beat him. It would have seemed absolutely impossible before the match. I don't know where I am now. During the match I just tried to keep on going until the end. It is fabulous. There's no other word.

RICHARD GASQUET: I tried to do a topspin volley. I just didn't know how to play anymore. He is the No. 1 in the world.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, it all started in Monte-Carlo. It just means that I can play well here.

RICHARD GASQUET: I was certainly not thinking about Federer. I was just thinking about beating Arazi in the first round. If someone had told me before what would happen, I would not have believed it.

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, it's fabulous. After this matchpoint, I had to wait three or four seconds before I really realized I just beat Federer. It's still very difficult for me to realize. I don't know where I am anymore, but I know tomorrow I'll have to keep on going.

RICHARD GASQUET: He played very well in the beginning, then he started becoming a bit nervous. I was able to return well and to play crosscourt, which bothered him. I don't know what I did better than he did. It's difficult for me to analyze the match right now.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. I'm used to people saying that, but from him it's really fabulous. But I must keep on going starting from tomorrow.

RICHARD GASQUET: I believe if I play well, I can bother him. It's going to be difficult to go back on the court after Federer, but at least I feel confident. I hope I'll be able to win again.

RICHARD GASQUET: Things just go well. The opponent starts playing not as good, and I raise the level of my game. I try not to get nervous, and I try to go and grab the victory.

RICHARD GASQUET: I didn't react well because it was an easy shot to miss. But even if I had lost, I would have been happy because I was competitive when facing the No. 1 in the world. I would have thought that I'm still young and I still have possibilities. But of course it would have been frustrating after having a matchpoint. I was able to come back into the match, and I played a very beautiful tiebreaker.

RICHARD GASQUET: I know I'm playing very good tennis. It would be stupid to say anything else.

RICHARD GASQUET: No, I always knew I could make it. What is difficult is to be consistent the whole year. I know that I didn't do everything very well during those past years, but at least I accumulated some experience and I practiced a lot.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, I was more relaxed and I started playing better and he started missing also.

RICHARD GASQUET: Every player has his doubts, but I knew I could make it so I had very few doubts. Every time I lost a match, I started working again.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, it's true. Even in practice I can't do it. So, imagine, against Federer on the court...

RICHARD GASQUET: He started playing not so well. I was dominating in the rallies. I played very well in the end of the second set and the third set. I was returning well. I was confident. At the end of the third set I became a bit tired and a bit tense.

RICHARD GASQUET: I will succeed in forgetting that. Before playing on center court against Federer, Eric told me that the only thing I had to do was to enjoy myself, and I succeeded in enjoying myself today.

RICHARD GASQUET: Of course. It's a semifinal. It will be normal to be motivated. It doesn't matter if I have to play Nadal or someone else.

RICHARD GASQUET: I don't know. I had several good matches. Maybe Buenos Aires in the semis, or the final in Metz last year.

RICHARD GASQUET: I was very pleased with my victory against Massu in Buenos Aires. I won 7-5 in the third. That was my best match.

RICHARD GASQUET: I was surprised that he was missing his returns on my second serve.

RICHARD GASQUET: No, I'm used to it. It's good to have two young players in the semis of a Masters Series, but I'm used to it. He is ranked 17, so he is the favorite.

RICHARD GASQUET: I will have no problems. When I am off the courts, I am different. Of course I admit it's going to be a bit difficult in the beginning.