20/05/2011 14:55 CEST - interviste

Richard Gasquet (20-05-2011)

 Q. Well, I suppose you know now the draw.
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes.

Q. Stepanek, what do you think about this?
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, it's difficult, you know, if it's a seeded player and he's got a lot of experience, he knows how to play Grand Slam tournaments, so a good player.
He didn't play that well lately, but it's going to be difficult for me. I'll have to play 100% because he's a talented player. It's going to be a difficult match.

Q. Now, you have a long experience in Roland. Would you say it's the one when you're best, you feel fit?
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, in 2007 I played well; played the finals in Hamburg, and I was playing okay. I know the first round is not going to be easy. The first round is not going to be wait and see. I'll have to play 100%. I'll have to play my best tennis to beat him, to defeat him.
The draw could have been better for me, easier for me, but that's the way it is. I feel okay. I'm ready to play 100% during this match, but I know it's going to be a tough match.

Q. We have seen in Rome that you were playing in the court more than before. Is it because Sebastien wanted this, Sebastien, Ricardo, or is it you? Is it you realize you have to be more in the court?
RICHARD GASQUET: Sometimes I do it more naturally when I'm more conscious about it. Sometimes I play less well, so I play behind the baseline. It's not really my best type of tennis, but sometimes I don't feel my shots are good enough.
I play behind the baseline. It's not the best solution, so I try to move forward to the net so that I can have more winners.
But, you know, in the future, this is the type of style I need to have. To move forward is what I need to do, to move into the court.

Q. In Rome, you might have realized that you were not that far away from the top 10, like Berdych and Federer, and therefore the difference between you and them, the gap was not that big.
RICHARD GASQUET: No, no, not that big, that's true. But then you have to do the same all the time for all the matches. This is what they manage to do; this is what I will try and manage to do.
I didn't play that bad since the beginning of the season. I have to try and continue this way. No, Roland Garros is a bit special compared to the other tournaments, but I've played well. I hope I'm not going to put on myself more pressure than that this.
I want to play well, which is quite normal. It's a tough match, but I'm ready to play 100% against Stepanek.

Q. You have said that you can play different styles of tennis. Where is your real natural style? What type of natural style do you really have?
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I think it's when I move into the court. I had two great matches when I felt totally free when I could play backhand and serving well. That's when I'm dangerous.
Some matches are more difficult and I play more behind the baseline. But for a while, I have been playing well. I have been hitting strongly. I will try and continue in Paris. I'm quite motivated for a good tournament.

Q. I have a question concerning Novak Djokovic. I'd like to know, according to you, why has he become a different player this season? Why has he changed? What does it take to beat him?
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I think it started with the Davis Cup last year. That's when he gained confidence. He won the title in Belgrade at home. It was something huge for him. I think that's when it started.
And then with the Australian Open and the two in a row was something outstanding. But for a while, that's true. It is absolutely incredible. He's already qualified for the Masters. He's not lost a match for a while, so physically it's going to be tough for him, 15 days.
He's won so many matches, but then he's gained enormous confidence. I don't know when he's going to stop. To beat him, you have to play incredible tennis, because he's got no weak point.

Q. Do you have objectives for this tournament?
RICHARD GASQUET: No, I have not set any goals for myself. I want to play 100%; I want to play well; I want to have great matches.
I know the first round is going to be difficult. I have to play 100% to win. It's not going to be easy. I can't say, Okay, I'll play average tennis and I will win. No, no, I have to play really well.
But I'm motivated. I'm happy I can play in Paris. I'm not injured at all. I feel good and fit. I'm ready for big match against Stepanek. That's all. That's my objective, to have two great matches.
Last year I was defeated by Murray; it was a great match. This is what I'm looking for, a great match to play well, to have a great audience supporting me, and to feel good when I move on the court.
Then if I'm defeated I'll be defeated, but I'll play my best.

Q. I'd like to ask you something, Ricardo Piatti, what about him? What has he given you? What more with him?
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I'll try and move into the court and hit the ball when it bounces.

Q. But that's not new.
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, yes, but with Sebastien as well I feel good. I feel good with both, and I play better, I think. I have recovered as well. Now time is flying by and I've gained experience. I've decided to fight for it and fight for it.
In the recent months, I can say I have had a number of victories again under my belt, so there's nothing really fundamental that's changed in terms of my tennis style. But I know I have decided to fight for it, fight for it for two years, and now it's payoff time.
So I'll try and continue on the same tracks.

Q. What about Sebastien Grosjean, when you discuss this Roland Garros because in 2000 he was in the semifinals what are the tips he's given you?
RICHARD GASQUET: I have not discussed this with him, but I know what he's going to say. He's going to say there is no special pressure; play your best; enjoy it. This is what he's going to say.
It's always the same words and expressions all the time, but that's the truth, you know. You have to enjoy it and take it the way it is, and you have to have this appetite to play and realize you're very lucky to play in Paris at home in a tournament that's so famous as Roland Garros.
I have played well recently, so there's less pressure on me. I know I'm going to play here with a lot of desires.

Q. Don't you feel any special expectations because Jo was injured quite a while and Gaël as well? Now you are probably the best position French for this Roland Garros.
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, yes, you know, but it's ups and downs and ups and downs all the time. It's normal, you know. If I happen to be defeated by Stepanek, I'm not going to be that much covered by the media.
But if I win again, you know, I'm not asking myself these types of questions. You know, I'll try and do what I can little by little. I'll try and not think about this. I want to enjoy it, enjoy playing on the court, which is what I did in Rome, and this is when I was playing well.

Q. You were talking about your defeat against Murray last year. Do you think that this year you have more weapons to win this type of match?
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, I think this year I would have beaten him. I play better, that's true. Last year I was tired. There was fatigue. This time it was okay. I played well in Rome. I could rest for a week and practice, as well. That's good training, as well, I can say.
As I said before, the draw is not an easy draw for me. Stepanek is a very complicated player to play against. So I'll have to be 100% there on the court, but I'm ready for this.

Q. A red Polo shirt, is it the one that you're going to wear throughout the week because that's the lucky Polo shirt for you?
RICHARD GASQUET: I can't say that. I like it, the way it looks aesthetically. I mean, that's the most important thing.
You know, this is not something important.

Q. Yet you are a bit superstitious.
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, maybe. Maybe. No, I try not to think about these things. The luck object. I played with it for a while. That's true. Maybe I will continue. Why not?

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