“After your injury contracted last October (sprained ankle), how much doubt did you have about your presence at the Australian Open qualifiers?
Before I got injured, I had ten tournaments left to take 35 ATP points. For me, that would do it. But with this six-week injury, I only had three tournaments left. This meant either winner plus final or a final on every event. From that moment on, I took it game by game, trying not to doubt. I wanted to play tennis well, because I knew that by doing that I am stronger than average in Futures. I succeeded, but obviously I had a little doubt.
How do you feel today after achieving these performances?
Pride! It is certain that starting from zero at thirty years old, by having a more difficult scale than at the time on ATP points and by having players between 400th and 1,500th much stronger than in the past, to succeed in that, it is a relief. Especially by not winning any titles in 2022. It’s also a little revenge for all those who didn’t believe in it but that takes second place for me. It’s also revenge against myself.
This qualification was validated at the end of the suspense. How did you learn about it and what was your reaction?
I knew 99% that I was going to make the Australian Open. Generally it comes in 235-240. Being 226th, I was in the cut. But every ten minutes I refreshed the list. It’s true that I would have liked to know this before going to bed but unfortunately no. I woke up at two o’clock, five o’clock, seven o’clock, on purpose until it came out at 8 o’clock in the morning. It’s a relief not to have to wait for injuries or withdrawals from other players to go straight into qualifying.
What is your program before the Australian Open?
I’m at home in Cannes, then on Friday I’m going to Caen to celebrate the holidays with my family. On the 26th, I return to Paris because on the 28th I play a Challenger 100 in Nouméa, in New Caledonia. Then I’m flying to Australia, then I’ll compete in a challenger in Thailand.
“My sporting challenge is clearly to compete in the four Grand Slams, move up the rankings and why not into the Top 100”
How much do you estimate your chances of reaching the final draw?
I think I have a 50/50 chance of getting into the picture. There is very little difference between a 100th and a 230th. It will focus on how to manage your emotions, heat and recovery. In qualifying, anything is possible. We have already seen plenty of surprises, like “lucky losers” who played a third round in the Grand Slam. I will take it game by game, we will do the accounts in the end.
You beat your career best ranking. How far do you think you can go?
I’m 20-25 points away from being top 200. I imagine it will pass and it’s a great step for me. I don’t really have a limit. My sporting challenge is clearly to compete in the four Grand Slams, move up the rankings and why not into the Top 100. The Australian Open is great, it was a dream, but the objective is to go further far. This is just a step in my career. We will have to be even better and win Challengers.
Could your status as a YouTuber who films behind the scenes of tournaments pose a problem regarding TV rights to events like this?
Yes, we thought about it and we started the process to be able to film. I think it might be complicated. Afterwards, the more big matches you win, the more you will be broadcast. So people who follow me will be able to see me play. And we will try to film things that can’t be seen on TV. »
