ROLAND GARROS

June 2, 2024

Corentin Moutet

Press Conference

J. SINNER/C. Moutet

2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French, please.

Q. A great first set. Practically ideal, but then what was the experience after that to the rest of the match?

CORENTIN MOUTET: Well, it was more complicated after the first set, obviously. It's hard to explain. I was more passive. I was very aggressive at the beginning of the set. As soon as I could attack, I did so, and it requires a lot of concentration and energy to always be looking for that ball to attack, and that's what I was trying to do.

It's a little bit of the unknown. I didn't know how I had to play, but I knew that he was very aggressive, so if I let him play, it would be complicated.

But I didn't manage to do it for long enough to win the match. I think that that's how it went. He was a more aggressive player.

Q. How did the atmosphere in Chatrier affect you on this court? You've played mostly in Lenglen and Mathieu. It's a big court. It's a bit different.

CORENTIN MOUTET: Yes, it's a mythical court. It's the biggest court in the tournament, so it was incredible to be able to go out onto that court and play a match there.

But it was different from the other matches, of course. He is ranked second in the world, so it was more balanced in terms of the encouragements from the audience. So it was definitely a bit of a different experience.

I went out on the court to play a match and to do my best. I think that I could have played better today, but I can't rewrite history. It's done. I went out onto the court believing in myself, convinced that I could win. I was leading one set and a break, and I couldn't do better. But it will be for another time.

In any case, it was a great pleasure to play on all of these great courts in Roland Garros.

Q. In terms of the atmosphere, because you've had some crazy atmospheres on Simonne Mathieu, Lenglen, do you have the feeling that it's difficult to create the same atmosphere on that court? The audience is a bit more difficult. Is that the feeling you had? Also, to have more trouble to get the public to stand, et cetera, as you did on Lenglen?

CORENTIN MOUTET: As I said, we're in the round of 16. He's ranked second in the world. The support is more balanced out. I think people come from across the world to watch the round of 16 and after. I think the audience was more balanced.

The atmosphere was a little bit less than the other matches in one sense, but is it due to the court or is it due to my opponent? I don't know. It's difficult to say.

In any case, whether everyone is behind me or against me, I come out on the court to play my match, to try to win, to try to meet my objectives, and that's it. I don't really know what else to say.

I don't want to say anything silly because you'll write it down. I know that's what you all are expecting, but I won't say it, so no, apart from that, I have nothing else to say.

Q. So you're happy, you've had some great times here, be it in the first round or after. Are you happy with your two weeks here? Has it brought you a lot for the rest of the season?

CORENTIN MOUTET: Well, already my rank is going up. I'm creeping closer to the rank I had before my injury, so that is an objective. It takes time, but I'm happy to be getting back there.

It will facilitate the task for the coming tournaments. I will, at last, be able to play bigger tournaments and better players every week, and that's what helps me to progress also. So I'm happy. I played three good matches, and there are still things that I need to progress in, a lot of things, and it's a good sign.

There's still a lot of things to work on, and I'm super motivated for the rest of the season. The season is still long. There is still two Grand Slams and a lot of other tournaments. So, no, things are looking good for what's to come next.

Q. What will you take home from this big week in Paris?

CORENTIN MOUTET: Well, loads of things. I want to remember the memories already. Although I can't make due with that because it's round of 16, for the big players it's a bit of a routine to be at that stage, so I shouldn't just make due with it.

But I beat some good players, I played some good matches, I held out physically. I had a good level of concentration. I didn't have any warning in the four matches, which doesn't happen to me very often. There are a lot of good things.

I'm very happy to have changed the image. Well, I don't know if I changed it, but a little bit maybe, the image that people had of me, which is often rather difficult because they only know us on the court. Like all of the other athletes, I work very hard. I work very hard with my team. It's a great but very complicated adventure.

So, no, I'm happy. There was a lot of positive attitude, a lot of love during this week from the audience, and I discovered a different audience. I discovered them in another format. I think that it will be good for what comes next.

Q. What's next? I suppose Wimbledon will be part of your program before you come back to Paris for the Olympic Games, if all goes well?

CORENTIN MOUTET: No. Yes, yes. Logically the Grand Slam is a part of the program, yes, yes. I don't really know what to say. Playing on grass, I don't know what program because the problem is my rank after the tournament and the registration in the slams is a bit difficult, so I think I'll be qualified for quite a lot of tournaments before Wimbledon.

I will be playing Wimbledon for sure, and the tournaments beforehand I don't know. I have to rest a bit because I really worked hard to try to get the Olympic Games, which is not very recommended for my body, but you know, there are priorities.

There's a great program awaiting me. Wimbledon, I love playing on grass. The Olympic Games in Paris, yeah. Only good things. I'm going to rest a little bit and then get back to work very quickly.