ROLAND GARROS

May 30, 2024

Grigor Dimitrov

Press Conference

G. DIMITROV/F. Marozsan

6-0, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How are you feeling at the moment here on clay with the conditions, and how happy are you about your performance today?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I'm happy I finished before the rain. That's for sure. I think in days like this it's just very important to stay within yourself and give yourself the permission to... how can I say... to be a bit more on point.

I think it's so important to stay focused in moments like that. You can easily drift away, the stop and go, or you lay down for a little bit too much in the locker room.

I'm just happy that I was able to really get back on the court, serve out the second set. Then in the third I think it was a good fight, but again, I was able to really be clutch when I most needed it. So very, very happy overall.

Q. Grigor, just to kind of follow up on that, on days like yesterday or today how do you spend the time if you are somebody, let's say, who is on second or third on court?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Well, I was supposed to be third yesterday, so I was hanging around for a while. I don't know. I read a bit of book, took a nap, had some food.

Honestly, I like that time for some reason. It doesn't bother me at all. I really enjoy it. I think maybe with the years and the experience that I have it helps me in moments like that. It's very -- I don't know. It's like it's a different atmosphere, and I kind of enjoy it. On my end this is what I've been up to.

Yeah, today I had to come very, very early. That's the other thing. It's just also how -- I think one of the most important things is how you're going to keep the body on the good -- with a good energy, on a good balance, and also not to lay down too much and all of that. It's a fine tune, I guess.

Q. On a separate topic, if I could ask you, last night after her victory in that tremendous match against Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek talked to the crowd and said, Hey, can you guys keep it quiet during the points?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I didn't know that.

Q. I just wanted to ask you your thoughts on that. Do you think it's important that there be silence during points?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I haven't played on that court yet to tell you that. Hopefully I make it there.

Q. But I guess overall...

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I understand. I think us as tennis players we're very particular with certain things, and I always say one is the background. For example, let's say if it's too bright or if you have, let's say, big letters, whatever it is, it's a bit more difficult.

Also, with the crowd, if you see the crowd moving in the back, it's very, very tough because we are so focused on the ball. When we see that is moving, automatically your eye is catching that. On the movement part, I'm all for being absolutely still.

Now, with the sound, there's not much, I guess, we can do. I think either/or I'm very neutral on that, to be honest. I could play, I don't know, with music on and all that. Of course, I prefer when everything is, like, a little bit more tame, so to speak, but this is a little bit out of our control.

Q. On next round you could play against Zizou Bergs from Belgium, from my country. How good do you know that guy, and what will be key for you to play well?

GRIGOR DIMITROV: Yeah, he's been having some good results. I think for a couple of years I've been seeing him around the grounds.

Of course, listen, you're in the third round. This is where everyone wants to be. This is how the tournament is. There's no coincidence that he's there, of course, if he gets there.

So on that end -- on my end I'm going to approach the match as any other match. I'm not going to really get too hung up on who I'm playing. I've been really focusing on what I can do on my side of the net, how well can I play, what can I improve. Of course, trying to beat the weather as well a little bit.

There have been too many factors that I'm focusing on. I think this is what I'm going to keep on doing, whatever has been working for me.

Q. (Off microphone)

GRIGOR DIMITROV: I mean, I know how he plays, but I think every match is different. So I'm not sure I can comment more on that. I've never played against him.