“You have won your 40th Masters title despite a challenging week. What was the most difficult moment of this tournament for you?”
There were several difficult moments. It wasn’t a tough week on and off the court, with the virus that affected me and drained a lot of my energy. However, I was able to find additional resources when I needed them the most, especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday because I was really on the verge of losing my matches at certain times. Considering what happened this week, this victory is certainly one of the most special I have achieved in a Masters 1000.
“Where do you place this title among all the others? It’s the 40th in a Masters 1000, the 97th title of your career…”
It’s fantastic, but it’s already behind me. I’m proud of what I accomplish, but I immediately turn the page. Fortunately or unfortunately, that’s how I function. It works for me anyway. Always moving forward is the right mentality for me. As long as I’m active, I want to win, I want to play at the highest level in Grand Slams, the Masters, they are the most valuable tournaments on the circuit. Considering the circumstances I encountered in recent days, I have to say that this victory is even more prestigious and has more value, especially at this stage of my career. I don’t even know where I am in my career. I feel like every win is worth twice as much today.
“How did you deal with this virus this week to achieve victory?”
I couldn’t eat much in the past few days, I only ate once a day and just liquids, otherwise everything came out immediately. And I had headaches, dizziness, I felt weak. But for a professional athlete, when you are on the court, it’s very clear: either you let these circumstances and feelings overwhelm you and manage accordingly, or you control them. There is no in-between. Either you withdraw, avoid the match, or you draw all your energy, adrenaline, the energy from the crowd, from everything else, to take control. That’s what I tried to do. I tried to find that extra energy in all of this. Today (Sunday), it’s the first day where I feel better and it’s behind me.
“Do you think you played your best tennis in all the matches?”
I don’t think so.
“What message does it send to other players that you win despite not feeling well?”
You should ask the other players. I try to do my best, like everyone else. Every day, we encounter different difficulties, but everyone expects you to be at the top of your game. I’m delighted that people see me as one of the favorites in every tournament, but at the same time, we are human beings and, off the court, we have to live with these uncertainties. Everything that happens in your private life, on your physical condition, and how you feel off the court has an impact on what you experience on the court. I tried my best this week and I think I did given the circumstances. Did I play my best tennis in all the matches? I don’t think so. My level wasn’t at the level I usually demonstrate in these big tournaments, but it’s one of those weeks where you just have to accept the circumstances and fight to survive one more day.
“What are your goals for the rest of the season, with the Turin Masters (from November 12 to 19) and the Davis Cup?”
I’m trying to achieve everything I can. I need just one victory, it seems, to rise to the top spot at the end of the season, that was my goal along with the Davis Cup at the end of the year. Now, it’s time for recovery for 3 to 4 days. I will put down my racket, spend time with my family, recharge my batteries, and then go to Turin where every match will be like a final because we are facing the top eight players in the world. I had a perfect score there last year (when I won in 2022), I enjoy playing there, it goes well with the Italian crowd. I have a lot of confidence in myself, I haven’t lost many matches since the Wimbledon final, I hope to finish the season in style, but yes, finishing as number one and the Davis Cup are my two main goals.”
