ROLAND GARROS

June 8, 2024

Tokito Oda

Press Conference

T. ODA/G. Fernandez

7-5, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Tokito, congratulations on winning the title, and also defending your title. How important was that for you going into this match today?

TOKITO ODA: I mean, last year I didn't thought, like, I'm gonna win two years. So now it's really amazing, because this tournament is so special for me, because this is first title of Grand Slam for me, for my career. So now we came back to my special moments, special place, and then we won the singles title.

So I don't know how to say, how to telling my feeling right now.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Congratulations on winning your fourth title and defending your title. What was it like facing Gustavo in a Grand Slam final for the first time, especially here where he's won twice before?

TOKITO ODA: Yeah, I think it's been long time playing against him. I think, I don't know. Last year's Australian Open I had a match with him. But I don't remember when was the last time. But on the clay court even it is, so it's been long time.

So I'm looking forward to focus for, at the beginning of the match I thought, like, I need to focus for beginning of the match, like, you know, he's kind of dangerous, you know.

He's always doing same thing for the whole match from first match to final. You know, he's very powerful, and moving so fast. He has a lot of spin on the ball.

But takes a little bit of time between me and Gustavo, but I play really well at the beginning to the last point. So totally I think a good match.

Q. Congratulations, Tokito. You've won four of the last five Grand Slams in singles. Why do you think you have been so dominant?

TOKITO ODA: I don't know (smiling).

Q. What's worked well for you? What's working well for you? You've won four of the last five. Why do you think?

TOKITO ODA: Actually, I thought he gonna win to the final, and then I thought we are going to play in the final with Alfie, but he lost in the semifinals. I was so surprised.

But also, Gustavo is really good at the clay court, but Australia I had same time with Alfie. I think he's making me, like, make me better, and then I hope I make him better (smiling).

I think for each other we had a really good time these two years. Then we had many matchup even if it's Grand Slam or the other tournaments.

So I wish play in Wimbledon with him, because he has a lot of fun out there. Yeah, looking forward to play against him for the next time.

Q. You mentioned on court about the Paralympics. How much of a goal is that? How much does that mean to you?

TOKITO ODA: When I see the wheelchair tennis for first time, that was Paralympics of Shingo. And then I thinking like I want to be in this place. I had Asian Paralympics, but for the Paralympics is not yet come, but two months later I play at here Paralympics, so excited to play for Paralympics.

Then this, as I say, this is for me is really special place to play the Roland Garros, to play in Paris, it's so special for me.

Then first time to play in Paralympics, it will here. Yeah, just excited.

Q. I would like to know what was written on the bandage that you had on your wrist and that you show at the end of the game. What was the significance of? Next to the court we couldn't see what was written on it.

TOKITO ODA: I don't know in French but in English "I love the Paris," I write it down, "I love the Paris," but I don't know how to say in... I just write it down that transfer it. But, you know, I love this city, so I wanted to showing that my feeling. So that's why I do that.

I don't know. Two or three days ago I had idea for that, and then I just write it down before the match. At the restaurant I give the tape from my trainer (indiscernible) helps, but he give me that tape and then I writing. That was really good moment for me.

Q. It was written in French?

TOKITO ODA: Yeah, I write it down the French.