ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

October 31, 2023

Gael Monfils

Press Conference

F. CERUNDOLO/G. Monfils

4-6, 7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. You had one match point, a bit of frustration, a bit of tiredness. It's the end of the cycle this season. Is that a good summary?

GAEL MONFILS: No, I played my match point poorly. He served on my body. I didn't move enough. I could have done better on many points also. Many points have to be improved in my game, details to be able to push further and make the double break to be safer.

Then credit to him. He played well. He played excellent match and he's in top 20 or 21. He's an excellent player.

Of course disappointed that I lost, but again, I have had a good fight, so I'm happier I have more positives than negatives from this match.

Q. Physically how do you feel at the end of this season? Was it difficult tonight, or did you feel well? Did you have energy at the end of the match?

GAEL MONFILS: We were a bit tired, both of us. Backhand was difficult. At 5-All, 15-30, he hit a backhand down the line. I didn't feel so good physically. But the conditions were a bit tougher because the bounce is low, so you have to bend further and was less fresh.

At 15-All, I sliced, and then he made a forehand return. I didn't bend enough. I had to chip. So after two hours and a half we're tired, both of us. I'm tired as he was tired.

I was ready for my tournament.

Q. Stan, Murray, Gasquet, match points you lost, there was a bit of tension despite your experience. It's the eternal history of tennis or is it just a chance? Are you more tired than the others because you're older? But I don't think so.

GAEL MONFILS: I didn't see all the match balls. I saw one from Richard where he did a double fault. Maybe this one could be a reproach to him, but he did an incredible comeback. He was playing 13th in the world. So it was a tough match.

Murray was playing de Minaur who was exceptional, 12th in the world, and he had never beaten him.

Stan, I didn't see the match point. I was told he did a double fault, but I couldn't tell because it was 2:00 a.m. Then I lose against the 21st player in the world. So that's a bit of coincidence maybe, but it shows that we're present more than anything else. We are still present. We unfortunately all lost.

But we all want to continue to try to play well, to offer beautiful tennis. And so I do hope that next year all these players will be competitive.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

GAEL MONFILS: It depends what you mean, what is the end for you.