ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2024

Andrey Rublev

Press Conference

A. RUBLEV/T. Daniel

6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Andrey, it wasn't smooth sailing all together there today. Just how relieved were you it didn't go to that fifth set given you've played three first round five-setters here before?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Of course, it will be tough to go to fifth set, and of course, I feel a bit relieved that the match was over in four sets. But still I had a feeling during the match that (indiscernible), which also was giving me some confidence.

I had a feeling that I had a lot of break points in the second set. I had a lot of 15-30 second serves. I felt that almost every returning game I have chances. I don't know. Sometimes I wasn't making them because I wanted to make them badly, or sometimes I wasn't making them because maybe I was a bit relaxed.

So in the end I couldn't find this right balance, but in the end I'm happy that I was able in the last moment from 5-all when he had two break points I was able to play good rallies and then I was able to finally break him.

Q. You spoke about it briefly after Madrid how much that title meant to you. Can you just reflect on it now in the lead-up to Roland Garros how much that restored your confidence heading into the slam?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Of course, the title in Madrid helped me a lot because I'm playing again really good tennis. In general, the title in Madrid I think it's the most special out of all that I had.