NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 9, 2023

Gael Monfils

Press Conference

G. MONFILS/S. Tsitsipas

6-4, 6-3

GAEL MONFILS

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.

Q. Congratulations. This is your first top 10 win of the season. Just how pleased were you with your performance?

GAEL MONFILS: Thank you. Yeah, played a solid match today. I was very happy with the way I was moving on the court again. For me, it's always key to have great movement. So I was happy with that.

Of course, I serve a strong first serve. I was happy with the speed of my first serve. Of course, a lot of double fault, but good ones because I went for my second serve. So I was happy with my serving.

I put a lot of return in today, so I was happy with that.

And then also, you know, tried to be in control in the point and not really let Stef to take too much the point.

And felt I hit some strong backhand and forehand. So I was happy with the solid performance that I made today.

Q. Just to follow up, you're actually fourth among all active players with wins in Canada. What is it about this country that seems to bring out some of your best tennis?

GAEL MONFILS: Yeah, I like to play here. Great energy. Great stadium. Always, you know, very nice atmosphere here.

I love playing Toronto and Montreal. These are two venues that suit my game, suit my energy. So I just like to play in Canada.

Q. Two big back-to-back wins over Eubanks and now Tsitsipas. How does that affect what you feel you can still accomplish and what confidence does that give you moving forward this season and, hopefully, beyond this season?

GAEL MONFILS: I would say when I almost 100 percent and I feel great, you know, I have a lot of practice behind me and can practice weeks to weeks and play, you know, even tournament after tournament, I be always a tough opponent. That's why I still play, because I still believe I can be tough for those guys out there.

You know, and I'm just happy that, you know, I made it through those weeks, more or less, let's say, with a little bit of body soreness and everything. But I really want to keep pushing my body and my mind for this week, and, obviously, for the next week coming up.

Because I won't lie. What is tough for me is play weeks after weeks after weeks. And so far it's okay. But I really hope I can keep doing that for couple more weeks. And then it's too far for me next year.

Q. I saw yesterday you practiced with Carlos. Was that the first time you practiced with him? I'm just curious your thoughts on just practicing with him.

GAEL MONFILS: Yeah. Carlos is a great guy. Obviously, a great kid. You know, he's beginning of a big legend of the tennis, you know. I think definitely a champion already, but it's -- I think his goal is to become a legend like those legends that we have in our game.

And it was just a great. It was great. I played him it was last year -- I think I played him last year. And when I finished the match, I told everybody, I said, Whoa, look out. He's going to be -- he is different. When I played him, you know, I felt like his ball was different. His movement was different. His mentality was different. So I could just -- I was just happy to just say, it happened to him quick.

But I felt his ball already, so I knew he has something different.

Q. There were seven break points in the match today. Three on your serve, four on Stef's, and you won six of them. How did you approach those big points that made such a big difference in the match?

GAEL MONFILS: I felt, you know, I went for -- on my serve, of course, very simple choice to manage them. You know, big targets on my serve. And definitely if the ball has to be in play, you know, keep the tactic that we had with my coach.

And on his, try to be the more realistic possible. So in a way, go for it. I think I was lucky enough today to save them and actually made them quite quick. But it is two days like that. Tomorrow is something else. You know, against Eubanks, I think I had 16.

So it's just a better day today, let's say.

Q. Back to Carlos. You said you think his goal is to become a legend. Why do you say that?

GAEL MONFILS: Yeah, I think every player wants to become a champion, legend, whatever. He's already champion, you know. When you're champion, for me, when you win slams, and he already won slams.

And I think he stated already that he wants to win a lot of Grand Slam. You know, to win a lot of Grand Slam is to become a legend. So it's not even him wants to become a legend. But I think if you want to -- if you win more than certain number of slam, you become a legend.

So I feel like he's on a track to win the number for him to become a legend. But don't put pressure on him (smiling).

Q. Having two parents as professional tennis players, I'm wondering as your child grows up if you would like to see her pick up a tennis racket and attempt to have a career perhaps? And second to that, do you and Elina ever talk about teaming up for a mix doubles in a Grand Slam before hanging up your racket?

GAEL MONFILS: To be honest, she will do whatever she wants. But deep inside, you know, I hope she pick up something else than the tennis racket: golf, soccer, basketball.

But if she wants to play tennis, she play tennis. But inside, I wish she could try another sport, to be honest. But whatever she wants.

And why not? You know, why not to play once a mixed double? Why not? But the thing is, you know, it's tough for me to play single and doubles, you know.

But I feel like when it will be the end, I will try to double up. And hopefully it's not next year (smiling).