ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2024

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

F. AUGER-ALIASSIME/Y. Nishioka

6-2, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Felix, you took control of the match even though it was interrupted twice.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, very good beginning for the tournament, playing this way against a player when it was difficult for me during my career. So I expected a tough match. I got off to a very good start.

I don't know. Maybe there was a break point, and my serves were really good. I was convincing, which is really good for the rest of the tournament.

Even when the match stopped, I didn't really think too much about this. I didn't try and think about anything. I was really keeping my focus and warm and coming back with the same ideas.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Incredible. No, no, no, not this way, no. In the past there were interruptions. It happens.

In Munich, for instance, we stopped during the second set, but the conditions were terrible compared to now. Now when we stop, it's just for a little while.

But, you know, I started this first match. The draw was good for me. I don't need to spend the day here and the evening here, which is good to start at 11:00.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Correct. Well, I wanted to do the same. You know, during the second set, I thought it was 30-15. It was good, you know, 30-15 instead of 15-40 or another scenario.

Then I thought, Yeah, maybe there's a bit of pressure to finish the match, but I was far from being on the losing end. So I would rather think about this scenario than the other way around. It was only positive. I shouldn't have thought too much.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, yeah, quickly. Well, during practice in Miami, there were good moments, you know. Sometimes I know it was difficult for me to trust myself. I was hesitating. I could sometimes make mistakes.

When you gain confidence, you make mistakes, but you think, Well, never mind that, think about the next shot. In the past months I remember that these errors or faults had more impact on myself. So that's what I try and do during my practice, and I think it's positive.

I hope it's going to continue like this. The beginning of the tournament is really good. I still have many matches to play, so nothing should be taken for granted.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, we'll see. Sometimes, you know, you play against a player, and they have better results. They are a better player like today, and I fare well, and it can be different the next time.

But Purcell, he defeated me in Toronto last year, and we played a challenger where I defeated him. He's a tough player, but it's on clay, so he wants to go to the net. He plays well on hard courts as well and grass. It's better to play him here, but yeah, not easy.

And the other guy, I don't know him at all. So I don't know what to expect if it's him who defeats Max Purcell.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: I have to be careful about my behavior, but my father, no, he trusts. He is convinced. He has convictions. He's been like some type of reference in my life, and he helps me gain confidence in what I do in my project. That is, I've got to reach the highest level.

As a father as well, he's good. He cooks in the evening. That's a good thing. That's very positive as well. That's a nice thing.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, there's a competition between him and my mother. Sometimes my mother has the upper hand.

Q. (Off microphone)

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: No, no, but let's be careful.