After reaching in Paris the round of 16 for the second time in a Major in his budding career, Matteo Arnaldo is departing from Paris with positive feelings, and further stimuli.
Two days after scoring his first win over a top 10 in a major he was also ever so close to toppling the 2021 Roland Garros finalist. Thanks to this result he will also move up to his best ranking, No. 34, vying to be seeded at Wimbledon.
Ubitennis: “How did you feel when you lost the second set? He had definitely raised the level of his game but you had slightly retreated. Do you have any particular regrets on the four set points?”
“Honestly I don’t remember those points exactly: in the first two sets I played very well, then he grew a lot. Saving set points gave him great confidence and from then on he managed to find the way, but I dropped a bit. I tried to look for a solution, but I lost intensity as the minutes went by. The truth is that I’m still not used to playing these matches, I’m trying to learn how to do it, maybe I could have served better at 5-4, but in general he was good, you have to be honest. Of course there is some regret, because I was one step away from being two sets ahead, but I have nothing to reproach myself with. Stefanos knows how to play this kind of matches are played and I take this opportunity to congratulate him, he was amazing.”
“You played with a former world No. 3 at his level. Where do you think you need to improve to get even closer to the level of these champions?”
“I have to work on many aspects, first of all on continuity, ‘3 out of 5’ I had never played a tight match against a top 10 player, here instead I played two in a row, in 48 hours, and at an excellent level, and I believe it’s a good step forward. These are two matches that make me very proud, I have nothing to reproach myself with, I’m happy with how I performed on court. My level is rising game after game. I lost in 3 sets to Alcaraz in New York and to De Minaur in Melbourne without practically ever getting into the match. Here at Roland Garros I beat the number 6 and I battled with Tsitsipas who is number 9 but who is worth much more, and in fact he has played two slam finals in his career.”
“In these two matches you really looked boosted up. The feeling is that you are comfortable in this type of match, in Grand Slam tournaments, and on a big stage. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true. I enjoy playing 3 out of 5. I like it when the matches get very physical and of course I like to play in stadiums like that. I’m learning to adapt to these situations that are completely new to me and I think I’m improving. It must be said that players like Rublev and Tsitsipas have much more experience, they know how to manage the moments of such long and important matches, I have only just begun.”
