On his feat “It was a full game from the first to the last point. I managed to put my tactic in place, which was to make it move a lot, to vary the heights, the effects enough. For me, it’s incredible to think that I just won in straight sets against a former world number 1, currently Top 10. I still have a lot of trouble realizing. When I get on the field, I can put a tactic in place, while they (his opponents), they have to say to themselves, ‘Who is that girl?’ If I’m there, of course, it’s “I have to play well, I think, but I think it’s an advantage.”
On his attitude “I am very surprised to keep my calm, to be so concentrated. To be honest, I’m normally someone who gets angry and bitchy. I don’t have the best attitude on the pitch. I’m still very tense when I play, and therefore, my heart still beats quite fast. And so, that’s why I try to breathe well, to keep calm. But since I arrived here, I think I behaved well. I’m quite surprised to manage emotions so well, especially on a court like Simonne Mathieu. It was the first time I played in such a big stadium with so many people encouraging me not to shout in all directions.
On his level of play “Even I have no explanation. I don’t even understand what is happening. I’m 26, this is my first Grand Slam, I always thought I would lose in the first round. I play a top 50 in the first round and I did not expect to win. Today, even less. What surprises me is the fact that my game bothers them so much, finally. I thought I would be overwhelmed, that I was going to take winning shots in all directions, and in the end, it is not the case. Even in terms of serves, I thought she would make more aces, that I would be much more annoyed. Finally, I tell myself that I may have the level too.
On the following “The objective was to enter the qualifications of Grand Slam. It is sure that with what is happening, it changes the plans a little. It mainly changes the programming, because I went back to doing ITFs, 25s, 60s. There, finally, I’m going to be able to do the WTA (main circuit), and so it changes a lot. In my head, it was to be top 100 and Grand Slam table.
On media exposure “It’s something I’m not used to at all, and where I don’t feel very comfortable. I think that will be the hardest to manage. Afterwards, the rest, I’m a fairly simple person, I don’t take my head at all. I live in the moment. Inevitably, I am very, very happy, but I am not in the euphoria either.
On the financial aspect “It is sure, it changes lives. Concretely, I can afford a coach, a structure, be followed in tournaments. It changes everything ! Even at the level of programming, I will be able to leave Europe, travel far, make long journeys, make large accompanied tours.
On his rugged journey “I had a knee problem, I didn’t play for two years, that’s when I decided to go to the United States, and study there. When I stopped playing, I said in my head that one day I would give myself a second chance, because when I was 14 or 15, I was very good. But I never imagined that what happens today could happen one day. For 4-5 years, I never thought I could compete in a Grand Slam. I never stopped believing in myself.”
