AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2026

Corentin Moutet

Press Conference

C. MOUTET/T. Schoolkate

6-4, 7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on your first round win in three sets. How does it feel to start the tournament this way?

CORENTIN MOUTET: It feels good. You know, it's never easy. First match of the year, it's always tricky. So I'm very happy that I made it, especially against Australian player with the crowd for him.

Yeah, it was a great atmosphere on a nice court. I'm very happy to have played this match and, of course, for the win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Your serve on match point. That seemed to get a little bit of a reaction from the crowd. What was your thinking behind that?

CORENTIN MOUTET: No thinking (smiling). That's what I'm trying to do on the court... you know, think less. So I don't know, I did it because I thought it would be I could win the point, which I won the point actually. Nothing else.

Of course, no disrespect or anything. You know, just, like, I could serve on the tee. I could whatever. I decided to do this, so I thought it was the better option at this moment.

Q. Did it have something to do with you had a leg problem? Was that related to your injury?

CORENTIN MOUTET: No, I mean, we all have some kind of pain every day, you know, that we have to deal with. So, yeah, I was trying to handle it in the best way possible. I did pretty well. I'm glad that I did well. You know, proud of myself.

It wasn't easy obviously. As I said, it's the first match of the year, so it's always hard. We can practice for a long time. We can do whatever we want, but the match is always different. So, yeah, it was a good test.

Q. So the reason that you were having trouble after the two-hour mark, was that because of fatigue? Did you have an injury of some kind?

CORENTIN MOUTET: I mean, you know, it doesn't always have to be one thing that, you know, like -- I think it's a global thing. I don't know. I felt a little bit sick the last few days, didn't sleep well, couldn't eat, like, a lot. So maybe it's all connected. You know, it's a global thing.

I don't think it's when there is something going on, it's always, like, one thing that -- it's not only one thing, I will say, so yeah.

I really know the most important is to get through it and deal with it in the best way, and I can leave it behind me.

Q. Were you surprised that Tristan wasn't able to sort of move you around a little bit more when you had this issue? Were you surprised that you didn't change tactics maybe?

CORENTIN MOUTET: You should ask to him. I'm not him. That's not a question for me. That's more for him.

I think we both try to do the best with the conditions today, so, you know, I don't want to speak for him. I'm not the best person. That's not my job, so I don't know.

Q. Do you think the tour needs more tennis players that kind of stir things up and offer interesting things on court, like doing an underarm serve in the first or last match, because you fill up stadium? So I think my personal opinion it's something good, but I want to know on your side.

CORENTIN MOUTET: I don't know. Once again, I'm just myself. You know, I'm trying to perform well, to be the best version of myself, to be a great tennis player.

You know, if I can entertain the people, that's even better, but that's not my first priority. My first priority is to perform and be a great tennis player. I don't know what people expect from us, but I think there is very good players right now, you know, in this era.

I think a lot of great level of tennis that we can watch on the TV. More or less, I don't know. I don't care (smiling).

Q. Have you decided your calendar for February?

CORENTIN MOUTET: Yeah, I'm going to play Dallas. I'm going to play the American swing... Dallas, Delray, and Acapulco. That's the plan. First Australia.