ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2026

Hugo Gaston

Press Conference

H. GASTON/G. Monfils

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

THE MODERATOR: Hugo, congratulations. Can you talk us through the match, and can you tell us how special it was for you to play against Gael tonight?

HUGO GASTON: Yes, of course it was a strange feeling, strange emotion at the end of the match, but happy about the victory.

It was also a strange match. Up-and-downs, but I'm happy to come back in the fifth and take the win against Gael. It's always difficult to play him. Last French Open for him, so yeah, very happy to take this match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Hugo, congrats on your victory. Maybe if you could repeat in French how you felt about the game, how are you feeling, and what happened to you from a physical standpoint.

HUGO GASTON: I'm really happy I was able to make it. It's always difficult to play French players, even more so against Gael for his last French Open, but that's what I was expecting.

There have been a lot of ups and downs. I have been able to manage my emotions the way I have played. I got a bit worried at some point. I have had a virus lingering for some time, so my heartbeat goes really fast really quickly, and it takes lots of time to go down. We have had long rallies, and I was tired. It was difficult for me to get back down, which is why I call on the doctors to get some drugs.

When I was feeling better, I started having cramps, so it was not easy, but I'm happy with how I have managed the game. I know myself. I'm not that young anymore, though I'm not old yet, but it's a good victory that will make me grow in the future.

Q. What do you think about that one? You have beaten Stan here. You have won in Bercy. But this is a very, very special one.

HUGO GASTON: Yes, because it is my first victory on the Chatrier in the French Open, and it is really up in terms of emotions, because the crowd was in favor of Gael, but I had a lot of people from Toulouse who had traveled to support me, as well. My game was not the best, but when it comes to the emotions and the game, it's probably one of the best ones of my life.

It was a difficult game. I will have to rest and recover for my second round. I don't know when it's taking place. Does anyone know, by the way? I have no idea.

You don't either? Okay. We'll see about that. I'm playing doubles, as well. I will rest, and we'll see from there.

Q. Good evening. You were mentioning the atmosphere tonight. How does it feel like playing in the French Open and not having the crowd with you for the first time?

HUGO GASTON: As I have said, it was quite a strange feeling when, at the end of the third set, everyone was shouting, "Gael, Gael." I wanted to shout with them.

It is a difficult position, because I used to watch him play on TV. He's quite the showman. I love the man he is. He's a genuinely nice guy.

And on all the tournaments I have been part of, he was always available, nice to my team, to me, trying to give me some advice. He's always been very available for younger players, so he's a great, great guy, and I was expecting for the crowd to be with him, but there was a lot of respect and the atmosphere was good, so that's cool.