“We imagine it feels good to pick up the racket again and concentrate on tennis and the game?
Yes, it feels good. It’s certain that when I returned to France, I had a lot of requests, whether in Paris or Montpellier. This is all new to me, I’m not used to all this and felt a little fatigue setting in. But it’s still a good sign, even if everyone gets a little fired up. I am only 83rd and the road is still long. It makes me laugh a little.
Have you been waiting for a long time to step onto this Patrice Dominguez court?
Yes, and even more so this year when I know there is a lot of enthusiasm in my city. This weekend, I was invited everywhere again. I knew that the public was going to respond and that there were going to be lots of athletes in the room. I’m happy to have a good first match here, in front of my loved ones.
“I’m not as precocious as Rune and Alcaraz, but I have my trajectory, I progress at my own pace”
You were also able to count on the support of fans who were already there in Australia.
In Australia, they helped me so much in my first round that I wanted to have them in every match and I gave them places. Here, they came on their own and they just had an access badge from the organization. Honestly, seeing them again is really cool. I put them in contact with my friends and there is a good atmosphere.
After Jannik Sinner’s “Carot Boys”, the Cazaux Boys?
(Laughs) If only! I don’t have Jannik status yet, but maybe. It’s cool to play in such atmospheres, in front of a full stadium. I’ve been training for this since I was little.
In Juniors, you and Holger Rune were rivals. What did his rapid rise evoke in you? Did it excite you to join him quickly?
When we were in juniors, he was a year younger so I knew he was very precocious. His rise didn’t surprise me because he’s a hard worker and he’s always had it easy. Me, I’m not as precocious as him or Alcaraz, but I have my trajectory, I progress at my own pace. I had a lot of injuries that slowed me down a lot, but that didn’t stop me from believing in it. I’m moving at my own pace and we’ll see where it goes. »
