ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2024

Arthur Cazaux

Press Conference

TM. ETCHEVERRY/A. Cazaux

3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference. Arthur, tough battle today. How do you reflect on your match?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yes, it was a tough match for me. I know it's going to be tough in term of physical condition because it was my first match since my injury.

So, yeah, it was a tough fight, but I gave everything I have today, and that's it. It's tough to lose early in Roland Garros always, but that's life.

I'm happy with my fight and my level on the first set. Yes, after I think I missed some matches, you know, to be better in term of physical condition and level, so...

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was it like to play in front of that crowd? It's probably one of the biggest crowds you've played in front of in France and a home crowd. How did it affect you during the match? Did it help? Were there times when it hurt and you found it distracting?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yeah, they helped me a lot during the match. I was feeling not good physically at the end of the second set. Yeah, the crowd was very loud during all the match. In the fourth I had, like, a second breath due to the crowd, so thanks to them.

You know, I love this kind of atmosphere. It's like a football match. I know some player that don't like this kind of atmosphere, but me, it's something that I really love.

Yeah, they helped me a lot during the match. I gave everything, like I said before. I hope they enjoy a bit, they enjoyed the show a bit, but that's it.

Q. It was your first full match since March. So quite normal to run out of petrol or gasoline, but this was a big match. Now that you're back on the courts, you're probably satisfied.

ARTHUR CAZAUX: I am. Well, I knew it would be physically tough because during one and a half months I had to think about rehab after this ankle injury. It was a bit of a rush to be ready for the French Open.

I couldn't really prepare the way I wanted, as best as I could physically, because the time was not good for me, but I knew it would be physically difficult. I think I played my best tennis with the weapons I could use.

What I'm very satisfied with, I was very much focused at the beginning of the match. Even though after one hour and 40 minutes, it was really difficult for me, but I made a special effort, and the crowd was for me supporting me. During the fourth set, I had a second breath. It didn't pay off, though, but I did with what I had.

Of course, I would have loved to have played more matches before getting on the courts and to be better prepared, but it was a bit of a win for me to participate. I was happy to be on the Lenglen that was crowded, and the atmosphere was crazy. I really enjoyed it.

I think there are things I can take away from this defeat. I'll gain more experience, and I'll do my utmost so next year I'm physically better and stronger.

Q. Even though luck was not on your side today, you were playing on Lenglen, the crowd was with you. Nobody played before 4:00 p.m. Is that something you enjoy, that is to have a second roof at Roland Garros? And, as you said, it's almost like watching a football match, but you didn't have to wait for the full day. Everybody else has had to wait for many more hours. Is that something you like?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yeah, it's always bothering when you have to wait for five hours before you play and then on the Lenglen court. I knew that the hour would be correct for me.

No, it's a good thing to have two roofs at the Paris Open. It's the weather in Paris. It's not the South of France. Each year we know it's a bit complicated.

It was crammed, as you said. There was a good turnout, but I suppose many people were watching us that come to the courts as well. So even though I lost, I suppose I managed to share my emotions, and I put out a good show for people, I think.

Q. Arthur, what about the end of the third set? You really didn't -- I think it was hurting. Was it your thigh or your forearm? Then what happened at the beginning of the fourth set? You said you had a second breath that was exceptional, and the Lenglen crowd was there, and they felt it, and they woke up with you.

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yeah, there were cramps starting in the third set. During the first two sets, that is 6-3, 2-6, they were really long. The first one lasted 55 minutes, and the second one 45, I think. So very long and physical sets. I knew it would be a big fight against Tomas.

Well, yeah, tough for me physically. That's when I started cramping. That's why I asked for the physio. I wanted massage. I wanted to have cucumber juice or salt so that the cramps would disappear. So I had to struggle for the two sets. It was difficult because my legs were not doing what I wanted them to do. That's when everybody felt out.

During the fourth set -- in the middle of the fourth set when he broke me, they were there and louder than ever. As I said, this is something that really is good for me, and that's when I gained my second breath and then I put in more intensity.

I was roasted, but then I managed to overcome the pain, and that's why the match almost turned around, but I wasn't good enough with my serve games, but that's the way it is.

Then, again, they were incredible with me today. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing. I could only thank them, thank them for what they gave me today.

Q. Two points before the end you hit on the ad on the side. Did it hurt your ankle again?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yeah, I wasn't good with this shot. I was so much into the match, I was looking at the ball. I thought, You can hit it.

Q. (Off microphone)

ARTHUR CAZAUX: I said, Yes, it's for the show, go and run, go and run. That's my philosophy. I don't like missing a point even though I might be a bit too late. I didn't see this ad, and I bumped into it, like bumping in the wall.

It wasn't pleasant, I can tell you. It really hurt on the side of my ankle, but for a couple of minutes it was still hurting, but I don't have a twisted ankle I think. I will see the doctor, but I don't think it's serious at all.

Q. (Off microphone)

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Yes, the same, the same, the same. I don't do things halfway.

Q. After Melbourne and your results, I suppose at Roland Garros was very important, but I think you've played in France before. Can you tell us more about this, this special appointment with a special crowd, and how frustrating was it?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Well, of course, that was dear to me, and that's why I was saying this is some type of win for me, at least to have participated and to be ready. I was ready to play. Maybe not 100% present physically speaking, but I was there to play the match.

Well, I was saying it was dear to me because for the very first grand slam my results were good, and I wanted to show the French crowd, the French audience, that I can pass on and convey a number of things in person. I could have a good level of performance at home, my home country.

I put out the best that I had in me. Physically I was a bit down today, but as I said earlier on, I'll do my best to be even stronger next time, other events in France and mainly in Roland in a year from now.

Q. After such a match, you called it a win to some extent, do you have a look at social media so that you know what people talk about you? Maybe, you know, the followers and the famous names in tennis. Is that something that feeds you or that gets on your nerves?

ARTHUR CAZAUX: Well, usually after a match, either I win or lose, I look at my cell phone, but that's to send text messages with the ones close to me.

I don't look at social media except when it's a really good shot I'm looking at what they write, but otherwise, no, no, I don't do this because a couple of hours when the match is over, people usually are rude with you.

I don't care if people are rude and if it's a streak of insults. I would laugh at this rather than anything else, but it's in the evening or the following day, yeah, sometimes. I like to know what people say, even though the way people look at me, you know what I think about this. I'm not that interested.

But if it's some people, as you were saying -- in Australia Mats Wilander was very kind with me, so that's nice from him. He's such a legend. But, otherwise, no, no. I'm not going to say, Oh, I must have a look at social media to see what people say about me.

No, it's my family, my kins. If they're proud of me, that's what I want. When they say, Okay, you did something great on the court, that is the most essential thing.