ROLAND GARROS

May 25, 2026

Arthur Rinderknech

Press Conference

A. RINDERKNECH/J. Rodionov

7-6, 6-2, 6-3

(In French.)

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations for this win. The conditions were tough today. Could you tell us more about how you managed the match?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Managed? Well, "managed," that's a big word. Survival. It's to hang on, to play the next ball, it's not too hot that you're not sweating. No, it's not simple for anybody.

There will be matches where there will be surprises or faults, but like anybody else, I tried to play the match, prepared the match as best I could, to drink as much as I could. The first set was important for me, to win the first set, because afterwards, three sets, and I was exhausted after one hour and 15 minutes. It was important. I feel good.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How important was the first set, as you were saying? Given the conditions, if you're down one set, the match would be totally different. Now, second question: The heat. Well, clay is faster when it's warm. Is that better for you?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: The first set was very important. There was a bit of pressure. What he was doing, as well, he's got his style. He hits back behind the line. He's a lefty, so he can have explosive shots and speed in his ball. So not easy for me to find my rhythm.

It was a long rally, long set. I was spending a lot of energy. Very important there for me to win the first set.

Then the crowd was with me, which was really good for me. Then I could relax a little and then play my game, my tennis, that's for sure.

No. 2, your second question about clay, I agree. But also, the organizers also water the courts, because they know it's going to be very warm the next day. Therefore, I thought it was quite sticky when the match started. It was heavy and damp and soaked. The balls were soaked with clay, so it really shows that it was damp, humid.

That's why they're so nice and of such a quality throughout the day, because if they didn't water the courts, we would have, how can I say, these sands, these beaches, rather, all day long.

But it's nicer here. When you slide, you will never stop. So if it's the first match, it's a heavy surface.

Q. Now, you were saying the heat, survival. What would you compare this to during the tour?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Well, it's warm. We're not used to that warmth in Paris at the French Open. But throughout the year, we have conditions that are identical.

The only thing is that I personally have never played on clay with such conditions. We are lucky, you know, because during the tour on clay it's in spring or early summer, Madrid, Rome, Monaco, and it's never a heat wave. It's usually good but never above 30 degrees C, and usually all of these tournaments are played when the conditions are fresh. As far as I'm concerned, it's usually, when I play, it's cold sometimes and that makes a difference in terms of temperature.

But in summer, in the States, the conditions are at least as warm, sometimes hotter. In Australia, as well, the conditions can be warmer or hotter. And the South American tour, I don't know this one, but I have heard that it was very hot on clay.

But we're used to that. We're prepared. It's best-of-five sets, you know.

Q. You were a bit tense when the match started, and then there was this set point that was a bit crazy. Can you tell us how, afterwards, you managed to relax for the rest of the match?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: As I said earlier on, the first set was important, because when you feel that it's some type of struggle, battle, and it was not perfect, on his side, on my side, I had this appetite to win. I was a bit nervous, and therefore, we were close to each other.

And we know it's going to be a micro thing, a detail here and there, that's going to make the difference. And the set point, it really represents the whole set. That is, it was a long, tough set, a bit surprising with ups and downs. At the end of the day, the crowd was there shouting, and I won the first set, so that was good for me. It did me good. Had it been the other way around, I was ready to play four or five sets, but then it would be like being hit on the head.

Q. Next match you're going to be playing against a guy who, how can I say, he's not in his 20s. Is that something good for you? Because you're saying, okay, you're going to be on an equal footing. We know that sometimes he's had some physical injuries.

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: I'm not sure I understood your question. It's not totally clear, but I'll try and answer. I'll tell you what I understand.

Yeah, he has experience, this player has. He's played thousands of matches on the tour. He knows how to sing this song. He was top 5 or top 10, and it's going to be a very complicated match, because when he plays many matches in a row, he's really good.

Of course he's had some injuries. I hope it's not going to be a case for him any longer, but it's not going to be an easy match to win, that's for sure. I'll have to be good with a high level of performance and a good crowd, just like today.

Q. Now, I'd like to know something. In terms of recovery, what do you do when the match is over and it's been very warm? Is there something different that you do? I suppose there's something different, but what is it? What's your routine then?

ARTHUR RINDERKNECH: Well, you have to drink, drink more, and a lot more, and in addition to this, a bit of salt, as well, and the rest, so that you would keep the water. Cold, as well. You need cold so that the body temperature would go down. After the match I had 10 minutes in a cold bath to lower temperature. That's why I'm wearing this jacket. Nobody is wearing a jacket today, but for the time being, it's okay.

In a couple of minutes I'll be warm and hot, or in a couple of hours I need to cool down. Then it's physical, as usual, with a physiotherapist. I will be playing only on Thursday, so I have a bit of time. But it's going to be hot. I saw the forecast. It's going to last, so routine.