Gaël Monfils: 2016 Rogers Cup interview transcript (first round)

The Frenchman has worked with coach Mikael Tillström since October 2015. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Coming off of his sixth ATP singles title – and his biggest to date – at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., Gaël Monfils headed straight to Toronto for Tennis Canada’s Masters 1000 event, the Rogers Cup. The Frenchman defeated Joao Sousa, 6-3, 6-3, in the first round. This transcript of the English portion of Monfils’ press conference on July 26, provided below in full, is courtesy of FastScripts by ASAP Sports; the first question was asked by Meniscus Magazine, whereas the rest were asked by other reporters.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.

Kwai Chan (Meniscus Magazine): Congratulations on your win last Sunday in Washington, D.C. How do you find the conditions in Washington versus here in Toronto?

GAËL MONFILS: Yeah, it’s different conditions. You know, I think the court is getting slower here. It’s for sure less humidity and a little bit colder. Balls are flying more. It’s quite a big change, actually.

Q. You have actually been having a very consistent season, and your title in Washington was a reflection of that. Is this confidence that you can keep building on for the rest of the season?

GAËL MONFILS: I don’t know. I even ask myself this question. I think I put good work with my team. What I try to do is keep working with them, and then the result I see later.

As a result of his Citi Open title in Washington, D.C., Gaël Monfils is now ranked No. 14 in the world. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Q. Obviously you’re focused on yourself here, but you’re probably aware by now that Roger Federer has essentially shut things down for the season and will not be competing in Rio. Just wanted to get your kind of reaction. Roger Federer will not be competing in Rio and his season is now coming to an end.

GAËL MONFILS: Oh, yeah? Why?

Q. Injury.

GAËL MONFILS: Oh, yeah?

Q. What are your thoughts on that?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I’m sorry for him. I just — I’m sorry for him. I don’t know. I haven’t read, but I’m very sorry for him. I love Roger, so obviously — I just finished my match. I have no idea. I’m very sorry for him, that’s for sure.

Q. Obviously he had the meniscus tear, and I don’t know what else. I know you have had a lot of knee injuries, as well. Can you talk a little bit about the rehab process? You know, why is the knee a tricky injury for a tennis player?

GAËL MONFILS: For Roger, I don’t know. But for myself I know I had this growing up fast. I think I grow very fast. We all have these — well, quite a lot athletes.

And then, for sure, for us, we use our knee very, very, very much. Every surface, every court, you know. So for me it was tough to balance, you know, my power between my hamstring and my quadriceps and even my calf, you know, to have enough support for my knees.

So it’s something — it’s a daily treatment, I would say. Sometime, yeah, it takes long to feel 100%.

Q. Just to go back to Roger for a second, with him out for the rest of the season, though, and at Wimbledon we saw Djokovic go out early in the draw so some of the younger players like Raonic made it all the way to the finals. With some of these players either out or showing they have some weaknesses, does it open up tournaments for players like that that are up in the top 20 and looking for still their big, big wins?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, to be honest, I don’t really look at that. You know, I think I more look at myself, what I can achieve.

I think when I’m in my top and with consistency I can beat quite a lot of players in the top. So the only thing is honestly you like to win with the best in the draw, no matter what. I mean, for me, you know.

And when I hear that, I’m sorry for Rog, you know, because even though an adversary but he’s someone that I really like.

You know, I think everybody is working hard no matter what. You play Novak or you play someone else, you know, it’s tough now, you know. It’s very tough.

Q. Could you talk a little bit about working with Mikael this season and what he’s added to your game or to your mentality?

GAËL MONFILS: You know, I’m quite quiet on this. I just say that I have good work with him. He’s changing for sure a lot of stuff, as you can see. What, I won’t tell you, and how, I won’t tell you either.

Q. Everyone wants to know the secret of success.

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I have no success yet.

Video: Gaël Monfils press conference (English) – 2016 Rogers Cup, July 26
video by Mai D. Chan / Meniscus Magazine