TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 29th of May 2014. G. Monfils d. J. Struff 7-6, 6-4, 6-1. An interview with Gael Monfils
Q. The one shot in the third set, you were parallel to the court almost. You jumped in the air. What was going through your mind, if anything, as you hung there in midair before crashing to the ground (laughter)?
GAEL MONFILS: Well, you know, I was talking about this shot with my agent. I told him, you know, I think I could catch a ball if I was like seriously diving. Because this one, it was a little bit fake one, I would say, because I was out of balance, and I just give a little action to take the ball.
But it was not a great dive, you know. I think it was 5 on 10. Could be better (smiling).
Q. Is that the kind of thing you can practice or…
GAEL MONFILS: No, I wouldn’t say can practice, but it’s kind of score I can have for sure, yeah.
Q. You play Fognini next. You have had some interesting matches against him in the match. What should people expect from a match here with you two?
GAEL MONFILS: It’s a good question. I don’t know. I cannot read the future.
But hopefully a good one.
Q. Do you know a bit more than after your first match, or do you still don’t know at what stage you are with your game?
GAEL MONFILS: Yes, when I arrived here, I was not serving well. I’m not saying I have no confidence, but I just have trouble serving.
The positive point today is that I was fit on the court. I was able to defend well. It had been a long time I hadn’t defended so well.
I think it’s been a whole year that I haven’t been defending like this. So that was positive.
But now, trying to assess my game is too complicated. I’m just taking match after match.
Q. Talking about the match against Fognini, how will you prepare for that match, and what will you change in your game compared with the other games you played against him in the French Open?
GAEL MONFILS: Are you Italian?
Q. Yes.
GAEL MONFILS: (Laughter.) I won’t tell you then.
Q. But I don’t have a good relationship with Fabio.
GAEL MONFILS: I’m going to answer (smiling).
I’m not going to change much. Maybe I’ll try to serve better. Focus on my serve a bit more.
The good thing is that with Fabio we have been knowing each other for a long time, and he knows and I know.
But the thing is we just don’t know what will actually happen during the match. With Fabio sometimes we can play beautiful matches, but sometimes matches can go astray or maybe him more than I.
So whatever happens, I will have to let him know that I’m playing home and if he wants to get me he’ll have to be strong.
I know he’s strong right now, which is exciting for me.
