ROLAND GARROS

May 31, 2023

Lucas Van Assche

Press Conference

A. DAVIDOVICH FOKINA/L. Van Assche

6-4, 6-3, 7-6

Q. There's been quite a lot of things today. Your first second round in a Grand Slam and then the loss. How did you come out of the match?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: Well, obviously, disappointed to have lost in three sets today, but it was very difficult for me, but it's my first Grand Slam, and obviously the first emotion I feel is disappointment.

Q. I wanted to ask you what you took away from the tournament and what you're still missing in front of such solid players?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: Well, first of all, that I have the level of some of the best players in the world. What I still miss is a little bit more experience. Having played these matches here in Roland is preparing me better for next year.

Obviously I'm still disappointed not to have played more than three sets today.

Q. You're talking about next year. How did you feel on this clay for your first senior Roland, and what do you think for the next one? Is it a good sign for the next one and for the Olympics?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: Obviously it's a good sign. I had a player who was pushing me from beginning to end, so it makes me even more want to go back to work to be here next year, and I know that next year I'll be stronger.

Q. You've had quite a lot of challenges with your backhand as compared to the first round. Is it frustrating when you miss that stroke? During the match, you had trouble setting it right?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: I don't think this is what made me lose the match. I made quite a few mistakes, and I had trouble finding my rhythm, but then I was playing better and better. For all matches you'll have highs and lows. The importance is to have as few lows as possible.

It was a bit frustrating, but I fought, and it could have paid off.

Q. What is your program, your schedule?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: I'm going to rest a bit and then I'm going to prepare the season on grass with the objective of Wimbledon, obviously, which is a Grand Slam on grass.

Q. During this Roland Garros there was a partnership with Bodyguard, an application to fight against cyber harassment. Did you use it? Did you install it? And if yes, is it efficient? And if no, do you think it's a good thing to have this in a Grand Slam?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: Yes, I think it's a great thing for the players to have this app. Personally I didn't use it because I'm well surrounded to manage my social media in the best way, but I think it's very positive for the players, and it's a good thing that ATP and Roland Garros set it up.

Q. If you had one memory to take away of this Roland Garros and this week, what would it be?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: Well, it would obviously be my victory on Monday, but it's also all the emotions I've felt with the public from the first round to the last one today.

They were incredible from beginning to end, and as a Frenchman, it's always great to play here, and it's even more motivating to come back next year and to go even further.

Q. If we were to look at the two matches, when we look at your face, you always have a poker face. How do you manage that even when the whole court is vibrating?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: Well, I always try to remain calm and to show my opponent that I'm there. Now, everyone has different ways of expressing their emotions. It's my way of expressing my emotions, and I do hope to continue like that and to continue managing for the future.

Q. You won the previous match, so did you enter the court knowing that people had more expectations from you? Did you know what to expect, and was there a change between the first round and the second round?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: I don't think people were expecting me more today than on Monday because today I was obviously playing against a seeded player, but I knew more or less how the atmosphere was going to be. I knew the player rather well. I played against him a few weeks ago. No, it was okay.

Q. Second match in Roland. Second match on Court 14. Would you have liked to see another court, or were you happy? Did you feel at ease on Court 14?

LUCAS VAN ASSCHE: No, I was really at ease on Court 14. The public is close to the court, and for me it was rather cool. I'm not sure my opponent liked that, but for me it was great because they were encouraging me from beginning to end obviously.

I would have liked to win to be able to play on a larger court, but it was great.