ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2024

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

Press Conference

D. GOFFIN/G. Mpetshi Perricard

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

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It was a very big match, a big fight. Can you talk to us about everything that went through your mind during this match?

GIOVANNI MPETSHI PERRICARD: Yes, it was a big match. I thought that I was going to manage to turn it around and win, and I turned around, but I didn't win, unfortunately.

I played a very good first set despite the rain, despite the interruptions. It was a little bit disruptive, but I managed to stick to my objectives, but it was rather frustrating to leave without a win.

There are lots of things that I'm going to have to correct, and I was talking with my coach. We haven't talked over the match yet, but I think that we'll manage to question ourselves to correct things.

Q. I wanted to know how it was playing on a packed Court 14 and the support of the audience?

GIOVANNI MPETSHI PERRICARD: Yes, it was really nice to have so much support. I had a lot in Lyon as well, but that was different because here the guys are really with you from first to the last point. It's really very pleasant to have such an audience.

I like it that they encouraged me. It helped me when I was broken in the fourth, and I would like to thank them for it. It's really fantastic to have these guys there.

Q. You're talking about Lyon. Even though you couldn't continue, you did play a big match today. I imagine that in this period once the frustration ebbs away, there's quite a lot of positive there.

GIOVANNI MPETSHI PERRICARD: Yes, although it's rather tough to find any now, but I'm not hiding behind an excuse that I had a tough week in Lyon and I keep playing match after match. No, I just lost against a guy who was better than I was and who beat me.

Sometimes I didn't really know what to do on the court because he was just sending back long balls. If I didn't take the lead for the first few points, it was hard. I have to watch the match to find some positive in it, but it's difficult for the time being.

Q. What's your objective now? We know that you're on the potential short list for the Olympic Games. Is that your big objective now?

GIOVANNI MPETSHI PERRICARD: No, no, not at all. I learned that I was on the list for the Olympic Games after Lyon, and they just sent me a message. They said, You're potentially the fifth person who might be qualified for the Olympic Games. I don't know.

But, no, it's not an objective for me at all. We had prepared a program without the Olympics, but if I'm there, all the better. If I'm not, then we'll follow the same program, meaning going to the States and play the tournaments over there.

Q. Wouldn't it be absolutely amazing to come back here in just a little over one month to play the Olympics?

GIOVANNI MPETSHI PERRICARD: Yes, of course. I would love to play them, but I don't think it's really in my hands, but I haven't calculated. I haven't looked. I haven't calculated the number of points that you have to have or not.