ROLAND GARROS

June 3, 2024

Varvara Gracheva

Press Conference

M. ANDREEVA/V. Gracheva

7-5, 6-2

(In French.)

THE MODERATOR: Well, it's been a great tournament for you. What are the things that you would take back home?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Well, that's something I will remember. A good memory for me and my team. I will try and do better than that. I will try and enjoy that moment for as long as I can. Then next time I play, I'll try and do better.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Well, in Russia, not many people know that you have changed nationality. They don't know that it's because of the situation in Ukraine, and you started the process years before. Why did you take this decision?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Well, it's a decision I made when my mental coach asked me in 2018. He asked me if I wanted to become French, and I answered yes. I was not necessarily aware of the benefits, but yeah, I made the decision and decided to go for it 100%.

I think if you go through all the steps of the process carefully, it takes a lot of time. It was something difficult for me, because I didn't play Fed Cup. But then I took all the necessary steps to start the process.

Q. In the French media, people say you're in France because of cheese and wine, et cetera.

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Yes.

Q. I suppose there were other reasons, as well. Wouldn't you say so?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Yes. Because I love France and I want to live in France like a French person.

Q. You are friends with your opponent today in the Cannes Academy. What do you do as friends, as mates? You said you were friends. Both of you said that.

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Yes, I was very happy to play against Mirra. I'm very happy for her because it's a win for her, of course. Of course since I'm a player, as well, I would have liked to win that match to be where she is, but I'm happy for her. I'll have to play better next time I play against Mirra.

Q. What are the lessons you would draw from that mainly? What are the things you remember this year?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Could you repeat your question again in a different way or other words?

Q. In your game, what are the things that you think you can still improve?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Generally speaking or just for this match?

Q. Generally.

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Okay, generally. Well, the quality of my shots. I play better when I am defending the points. Maybe I can improve a number of things there still. Yet to better foresee and predict where the player's going to hit the balls. It's difficult to do, you see, because it's a talent that I need to have, as well.

But it's okay. I can read her game and I can still improve on that.

Q. Usually for the French players it's a lot of pressure on their shoulders to be the very final ones to play in the tournament. Reaching the round of 16, we didn't have many of those for years and years. Since now you're going to be French, did you feel the pressure because you were the very last French player to play today?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Pressure? No. I was happy. Happy to play on the court today.

Yeah, round of 16. So I was proud, proud to be here today.

Q. Congratulations for what you did during the tournament.

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Thank you.

Q. Maybe you'll be back here again because Roland Garros is going to host the Olympics. Is this something that you are looking forward to with the French team? What would this mean if you were to represent France here?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Of course I'd love to play the Olympics here at Roland Garros. Yeah, it's a great opportunity for me. For me and in my career, as well. I would be so very happy.

I'll try and prep up and do better so that I'm ready for these type of matches.

Q. Back to the match. What are the things you didn't do today so that you would be more difficult to beat for your opponent? You have not succeeded to have the upper hand against her because she's a very good defending player.

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Yes, well, how can I say? Of course there are things that I could improve, but generally speaking, I'd say that the match I played was good.

If I could perhaps do away with the mistakes I made, the faults on my forehand which was played too quickly, then that would be good. Then when she returned the balls, I have to be more patient. That's all. Not much. Not many things to adjust. But I have to do this here and now and then.

Now, given the form she was in today during the match, I did almost my best, but she served really well. The match was good for her. Maybe I could improve my serve to have more direct winning shots, and I think this is all.

Q. You're the last French to play. Were you surprised not to be playing on the Chatrier court?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: No, no, no, not at all. I was so happy to play on the Lenglen court.

Q. That's what I wanted to talk about. Is this because you asked for this court? Because the French usually like the Lenglen court.

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Absolutely not. Someone from the media said do you want to play on the Lenglen? And I was so very happy to play on this court.

Q. What about your career objectives? What about this round of 16 and the very good matches that you have played? Has this altered your objectives?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: No, they have not budged. I'll do my best is all I can say.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

VARVARA GRACHEVA: No.

Q. During the first set you were up 5-4 and 15-40. In your head, what were you thinking about, that she played well or you were too much in a rush or would you have liked to have surfed the wave with the crowd that was supporting you so as to put her off?

VARVARA GRACHEVA: Well, when I was up 40-15, she served pretty well. She won that point. Then afterwards, during the rally I made a mistake with my backhand.

I thought, yeah, this is something I need to cross out from my game. But then that's how it goes. The audience was with me, the crowd was with me. I'm proud, because from A to Z, everybody was here to back me up. That was wonderful.