ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2024

Arthur Rinderknech

Press Conference

A. RINDERKNECH/A. Walton

6-2, 6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Arthur, congrats on the win today. What were the keys that led to your success today?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: I would say keeping the focus on my game, trying to develop my game and not letting him play, and doing it again and again without really thinking about the score or anything. Yeah, just trying to get to the finish line, and that's what I did, so happy for that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French, please.

Q. Great atmosphere on the court. You like that sort of atmosphere. Can you tell us what it felt like in a day that has been so disrupted by the rain?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Yes, I love it, and I even want to really tip my hat to the French audience because with the weather we've had today, it's really not ideal, and I'm really happy that they were able to see a bit of tennis.

It's not very warm. It's been drizzling and then harder rain on occasion. It's not ideal, but they're there. They're very enthusiastic, and it's amazing for the French tennis players. So very big thank you to them.

Q. In the corner of your mind do you have the Olympic Games in your mind? You were talking about the atmosphere, but just imagine the atmosphere of the Olympic Games in the Porte d'Auteuil should be amazing. And you're not very far off from being sure to go there. Is it more of a pressure or more of a bonus? How do you see it?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: No, the Olympic Games for me is a dream. It's the ultimate dream. I see this as a bonus. It's all bonus.

If I get there, then I'll be really delighted with my whole heart, but if I don't get there, then the French will play very well, I'm sure. I will be their very first number one supporter.

We'll see after the tournament what happens, where everybody stands. There's no point in doing the math now. I've never had any reason to do so.

So I'm focusing on my matches, my game, and we'll see at the end of the tournament.

Q. (Off microphone)

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Fabulous atmosphere, yes, I imagine it would be. If we see what it's like during Roland, I was on a small court, but it's a nice court. I played on Suzanne twice last year with an exceptional atmosphere, the greatest of my whole life. I imagine on Chatrier and Lenglen, 100% French, Olympic Games, the flag, all that it represents, of course it would be fabulous, and in midsummer.

I think today it was not very warm, but the spectators were hot. If it was a little bit hotter, I don't know what state they'll be in, but it would be great.

Q. Can you tell us about the beginning of the day before you came on to the court? You even came for the first time around 4:00 p.m. to say hi to the audience. You didn't even have time to warm up.

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Yes, I can do that. I arrived onsite at 8:30. I warmed up. I went to play from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. I was lucky enough to play from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. because not everybody had that opportunity. They put the tarp on at 10:00 a.m., and we had to wait, hang around until midday. We thought we might have a bit of a chance at midday, so we warmed up, but then it started raining again, so it didn't work.

Then at 1:00 p.m. we came out and we said, okay, we'll warm up. We went out again. Interrupted by a few bowls of rice, a bit of a nap here and there, and then shaking myself awake. So went out on to the court. So I warmed up. I put the bag down. It started raining. The referee said we'll wait a bit, but then it started raining hard.

So we went back and a few more bowls of rice, more warming up, and then I was looking at the rainfall radar all morning, and I couldn't see it. I knew that there was some rain that could come along. There were a few moments where the drizzle was a little bit stronger, but I thought it was better to stay on the court than to go back in and come out again. So right to the end we took it. I'm happy to have finished the match.

Q. First of all, we felt a bit of tension at the end of the third set. I wanted to know what was happening in your mind when you said, well, we're going to finish the game, and then you missed a few points. The second question, on your next opponent, I think it's the Argentinian Etcheverry. What do you think? He is a real specialist on clay court.

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Yes, a very good player. Very good clay court player. He went to the quarterfinals last year. I played against him twice. I've trained with him, so I know what's coming.

I know that I'm able to win against him, so I'm going to recuperate and concentrate on this match because I'm waiting for it with impatience.

On the end of the third set -- well, well done to my opponent. He really hung in there right until the end, and he had a good -- he was sending back the balls. He didn't let anything go. Even the rain, the breaks to save. So I got out of it with a 7-5 and three sets to zero, and it's my first game in Roland this year, so yeah, I'm happy.