ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2025

Hugo Gaston

Press Conference

H. GASTON/U. Blanchet

2-6, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: How did you feel out there? It was a solid result.

HUGO GASTON: Yes, first of all I'm happy, happy to be in the second round. It was a close match, close battle against a very good player. He played three matches here in quallies. It's always hard to play against a guy who qualify. Also a fun guy. We know each other for a long time.

Yeah, I'm really happy to be in the second round. Tough match, tough condition. Happy to play one more match here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Could you share with us your analysis of this match?

HUGO GASTON: It's been an irregular match. The first set was a bit tasteless, to say I was not able to express myself on the court. It was the other way around in the second set. There was some kind of a revolution. He was not in it for the third set. I had a few break points. 2-2, 15-All, it's in his favor. The fourth was for me.

In terms of intensity, the intentions we had in the game, it was better. The fifth set was a huge fight as well. It was a strange game. I was not expecting this, but against a French player it's always different. I'm happy to have won.

Q. Do you think you would lose this match? Were you scared?

HUGO GASTON: No, I wouldn't say I was scared because you have your family around, so you want to play well. I was trying to be as aggressive as possible against Ugo because he's a great player. I know his weaknesses and strengths. It was doable for me, but it was also very dangerous. I had to fight very hard today.

Q. What happened from the physical standpoint? Did you experience any issue?

HUGO GASTON: It was small tension. It was not too serious. I will recover well. We played over three hours for a five-set match. It's not that long. There was a bit of a concern, but it was not too bad honestly.

Q. (Question about camaraderie amongst the club French players and ambitions for next year.)

HUGO GASTON: Yes, that's right. A different kind of question.

First and foremost, we have a very nice club with a great president, a great captain. I love playing on teams, play with mates, we all belong to the same generation. We do have ambitions, of course. We want to win.

There are other great teams, but I have sufficient time to think about it (smiling).

Q. How were your nerves after such a game where it goes up and down all the time? Does your family and your friends experience all kinds of feelings?

HUGO GASTON: Yeah, there is some tension. Leading by 5-2 in the fifth set, he get back to 5-3. I have a few chances and I don't make the best possible choices. I remained calm when he came back from one break down. I was four points from winning the match. I was happy to be able to remain in control. I'm happy for myself. I know that it goes up and down. I know that my family and my coach must have experienced a lot of emotions, but they're used to it with me.

Q. Is it the experience of the fifth set that made a difference today? How do you tackle fifth sets in a Grand Slam tournament?

HUGO GASTON: It was the first time for him, if I'm not wrong. I felt fresh physically. I knew it could last one or two hours more.

I was moving well on the court. It was a bit more difficult for him towards the end. Maybe I was able to better manage the difficult moments. Even though I was broken at 5-3, I didn't panic. My experience did help. I tried to take it one point at a time, one set at a time. It went well for me.

Q. You will play Ben Shelton. What is your memory of what happened last year?

HUGO GASTON: This is not mine to decide.

Q. Of course, but he pushes you very far with his kicks. What do you think about him?

HUGO GASTON: He's in the top 15. He's a very good player. It's difficult, challenging to play against him. I know he's preparing well. I will use what did work last year, what didn't work.

I remember being very frustrated because there were some things to be done there. I will try to have as close a game as possible and try to be the best player.

Q. Were you able to watch his game against Sonego yesterday?

HUGO GASTON: No, absolutely not. I was 100% focused on my match today. I will have time to do it in the coming hours so I can analyze what he did well and what he did not do that well.

Q. Based on the way he plays, do you have an advantage on this surface?

HUGO GASTON: Yes, I think in any surface anyway he's a very good player, very dangerous. I know I will be supported by the crowd. It will be nice. Today I did have a lot of support. It's nice. I know I will have the whole of the public with me. I will need them to support me.

If there's one surface he is not that comfortable with, it might be clay. Maybe I have an opportunity here.