ROLAND GARROS

June 3, 2026

Matteo Arnaldi

Press Conference

M. ARNALDI/M. Berrettini

7-5, 5-2 [Ret.]

THE MODERATOR: Matteo, not the way you wanted to win, but how does it feel to be a first-time Grand Slam semifinalist?

MATTEO ARNALDI: Yeah, definitely not the match that I was expecting and that we wanted to see. But like you said, I'm definitely happy about my performance, about how the tournament is going.

You know, it's crazy to think I'm in the semifinals. I'm happy for that, and I feel sorry for Matteo. We practice a lot together in Monte-Carlo. It's tough to see him like that, but at the same time, he played an amazing tournament. He came back to a great level, and now it's going to be grass season for him where he plays his best tennis. So I'm sure he will come back stronger.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. I have done my math. If I'm not mistaken, you still have 23 minutes to play to break the absolute record in Grand Slam, more than 20 hours on the court. So my question is quite easy. Do you think you can do it? Do you think you still have energy to play two more matches here?

MATTEO ARNALDI: I mean, I'm feeling pretty good, actually. Obviously it was a question mark today, because I played two long matches in a row, but for the first time -- I mean, yesterday I didn't play tennis. I just came here, did some physios and some stuff in the gym. Today I was feeling actually pretty good.

I can't complain. I have been playing a lot, but at the same time, I'm happy to be on court and to spend time on court, because I miss the playing. I for sure have some energy left for the next matches.

Q. You will play Flavio in semifinals. Can you just explain your relationship with him and if you play a lot when you were younger, matches between you and Flavio?

MATTEO ARNALDI: I mean, yeah, we are good friends. We practice a lot together. We played a lot since we were, like, 12, 11. I mean, we know each other very well.

It's going to be a tough one, obviously. We both played a lot. I played a little bit more, but, you know, last year we played here. He won in four. We played a lot in the challengers.

I hope it's going to be a good fight, but at the same time, I hope it's going to be a good match to watch and to enjoy on court, as well, for both.

Q. Do you remember the first time you met him?

MATTEO ARNALDI: That's tough one. I don't know the first time, but definitely in some Italian championship, under-11, 10, 11, something like that.