ROLAND GARROS

May 22, 2026

Valentin Vacherot

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back, Valentin. How is the preparation going?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: It's going good. I started playing again more than a week ago after my little problem in my foot, so I've had -- I'm having a bunch of time to get ready. Plus, I play Tuesday, so full amount of time to be fully ready on Tuesday.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Hi, Valentin. Can you explain what happened with your foot because it started in Rome, and are you playing at 100%?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: No, it was not in Rome. It was at the end of Madrid. I felt somewhat uncomfortable, and it happens often, and then it becomes a bit more uncomfortable than it was before. So I was cautious in deciding not playing in Rome and Hamburg to make sure I could make it here and for the rest of the season.

Even though it's always hard not to play in Rome because it's a great tournament. I would have loved to spend quite some time there, but now that I know how to handle injuries, I'm not willing to take any risk.

Q. How does it feel starting the French Open as a seed?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: Well, let's be honest, here it's a bit weird for me because it was not the case before. It was quite some time between Melbourne and this French Open. It's only the second time of my career, so being on a Grand Slam just having to take a one-hour flight is better than flying for 24 hours for the first time in a Grand Slam.

It has always been a dream of mine because it was my first Grand Slam for the qualifications two years ago, so it's always very special to be back here.

Q. How do you manage your new status with everyone that asks for a bit of your attention? Can you remain focused, and do you find time to enjoy what is going on?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: I don't do everything that's offered, but I'm still trying to enjoy my life because all of this I have been hoping since I was very young. So let's hope it lasts for a few years, but I'm handling it quite well.

On the ground I've been able to really separate what happened late last year and to start from scratch this year and to be consistent with my new status.

Q. Isabelle that is helping on the mental aspect is with you on the court. Are you working on this tournament with her?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: I think we're beyond talking about the things, and had I changed my status when I was 19, 20, 21, it would have been different. But today I'm 27, and I'm able to know what is what.

I have enough perspective when it comes to taking every tournament as a new opportunity, but it's difficult to take the French Open as any other, that's for sure.

But when we are working together on the court, all we talk about is tennis, the physical aspect, what happens when I hit the ball, more so than what happens when I'm thinking. I'm trying to think as little as possible, although as I've said, just watching around me, I know where I am, and it's a lot, but I think I'm more experienced than I was, and I'm able to gain some perspective.

Q. You were still in challengers in slam qualifications last year. Do you think it's important, the topic that everyone is talking about, when asking for a better spread of prize money amongst players? Is it something that is important to you?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: I'm probably not in the best position to answer because I've been on the major tournaments for six or seven months. For three or four years I was ranked 200, 300, and in my opinion, those are the players who should be making more, but the prize money have increased so dramatically over the past ten years.

It's not about increasing. Compared to what they were 20 years ago, they've actually skyrocketed. So I think we are living through great times for tennis with great prize money, but I do understand the point of view of those who are in the front, and they have more exposure, and maybe they think that it doesn't change fast enough.

But when I've been in challengers for three years and I'm on an ATP tournament, I have no reason to complain.

Q. Yesterday you've practiced with Jannik Sinner. Today with Titouan Droguet. It is quite hot. We will have a hot week next week. Do you enjoy those conditions?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: We'll just have a look at where I won this Masters 1000. We played in sauna-like conditions in Shanghai last year, so I think I should be able to handle 30 degrees in Paris.

I love the heat. In Monaco ever since I was very young it's been overheated, and I spent five years in Texas where it was verging on 40 degrees in August or September. So I'm used to the heat.

This is not something that bothers me. We have enough time to get used to the heat. It's more difficult when the first round is played in 15 degrees and the next day it's 30 degrees all at once. It is more difficult for the body, but we have time to adapt.

Q. You've practiced with Sinner yesterday. Do you think, like a lot of players, that it will be impossible to beat him on these tournaments or that you or someone can do it?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: No one is unbeatable, although he's been trying to prove us that he since the start of the season.

However, I have been lucky enough to practice with him twice, and he's a different player. Not because of his ball speed. Not because of the way he hits the ball. It is the same ball that keeps coming back. Even though you've been practicing for two hours, there is one unforced error every half hour.

He doesn't make any mistake, which is what is the main difference with Zverev, for example, who is world No. 3. Even when training, you realize there is such a big gap. I've been able to practice with Carlos once. Even within two hours, you get to improve so much.

Yesterday it felt like I had been training for a week, but he's not unbeatable. He can be more or less fit, depending on the day, so I do hope I'll be the one who will eventually beat him.

Q. Since you live in Monaco, I think you're close with Belinda Bencic. Do you see her on a regular basis? What can you tell me about her, the way she works there, and what kind of person she is?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: Yes, I can see Belinda on a fairly regular basis with her great family. She's a great woman.

I was lucky enough to play an exhibition match in Shenzhen, and I was on the same team with her, so I was lucky enough to get to make a better acquaintance with her.

I know her coach as well, who is a very nice guy, too. Don't spend my whole days with her, but all I can tell you is that she's very nice.

Q. Playing together with Arthur was a given?

VALENTIN VACHEROT: I think this was in the cards with Arthur since the start of the season, even before the Grand Slam tournaments.

Let's not play too many doubles when we have a chance in the singles, especially here in Paris for our family, who is really enjoying seeing us, and we're sharing that with them.