AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2024

Arthur Cazaux

Press Conference

A. CAZAUX/H. Rune

7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on your win. What was the key to the match that has now seen you take out the No. 8 seed?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: What was the key? I think my head, my mental. I think it was the key. It's been a few months I'm training very hard. My physical condition and my head and my tennis and all these things together give me the win today. So I'm happy for that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Of course, in Denmark we were a bit disappointed how well you played today and served so well, but I would like to hear how you prepared for Holger Rune. You know him as junior also. Did you use any of your matches against him from the junior time into today, or did you only watch, analyze how he plays today?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: First, I want to apologize to the Danish people. I love this country. I love the people. So my bad (smiling).

No, of course, I know Holger since a long time. We play many times during our junior period. No, I didn't watch any matches when we were junior because now Holger, it's a superstar, and we change many things in our games and in everything.

Yes, of course, I watch him every week on the ATP Tour, so I know how he plays. I was focused on my game, on what I do the best. That's all.

Q. Do you expect future battles against your Danish fellow?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yes, I hope. I hope. We are two big fighter, you know. We are very physical. I hope to play again against him and to give, like, a big fight like we did today.

Q. Your level out there was very high. Did you kind of know you had that level in you? Were you almost surprised at how well you played, or did you know you had that level?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: I knew I can play this kind of level during this long period. I work hard. I work hard during the preseason. I did some five-set match with Arthur Fils, with Kotov. I did some practice with Dimitrov and also Andy Murray. No, I saw I can be close of these guys, but I never proved during matches.

Yeah, I'm pretty happy for that because I proved to everyone I can be this kind of player. But, you know, for me, I knew I was able to do this kind of performance.