Questions and answers

[Ney]

[Puschkin]

[Puschkin]

Q&A Part II:

Your travelling leads you all over the world, where would you want to spend a relaxing non-tennis holiday?

I’d love to be in the south of France.

What are your favourite 3 matches so far in which you took part as a player? Do you think you can win a GS singles title someday? If so, what is the one GS you would want to win first? Of all the active tennis players who do you consider your “favourite” a) to play against and b) to play with? You have been to different cities and countries while playing tennis. Can you please name some of your favourite cities to visit?

Haas in DC in Germany with the crowd against me, Roddick in Wimbledon, Federer in Monte Carlo. – Roland Garros, I feel I play better and better on clay. I love the cities of the GS and similarly the cities in Asia. I particularly appreciated Bombay, which is very different to other places.

Do you feel more/ less/ the same eagerness to enter a court as before the “affair”? Have you read Agassi’s biography? If yes, what do you think? When will you deliver a good beat-down to Murray in a GS? Are you still in love with PSG (Parisian foot ball club)?

There are moments in your career when it seems as if the motivation is lacking, this was not the case. This may happen when one doesn’t achieve what one is looking for, the frustration takes over. The “affair” gave me a different outlook on life in general, but my interest for tennis was very strong before. I felt more pressure, I was 17th and I found myself at 88 and I knew the difficulty to come back. - I read Agassi’s book, no comment. – As soon as possible, I hope, Murray and many others. – I love football. I have great memories playing with “Variete”. I was in touch with great players and great coaches. I am often in touch with Claude Puel. – I went often to the Parc des Princes (Paris football stadium). I was impressed with the atmosphere in the matches and the huge stadium. This is really very special. I am not that close [anymore] and at present not very interested to identify PSG’s problems.

Only one question: How is Eric Deblicker?

Erich Deblicker is fine.

What are the worst matches of your carrier at the circuit and in DC (excluded those after your comeback after the affair)? I have a very bad memory at the match against Vliegen in Roland Garros from the tie-break onwards […] You prefer with or without hat? And why the hat? – A small summary of the issues Markus wanted to improve: What are the successes and the difficulties?

Fully in line with you, Vliegen, when I stepped out of myself without any reason. Blake before the DC in Winston Salem. I started wearing a hat in my childhood as it is hot in the south of France, I kept that habit. I wear it when it is hot (+ 40°). – I have to work on my physique avoiding injuries

We know that since you worked with your new coach, you did more physical work than before. That’s why I want to know at which point you felt the effects of this preparation in your game? We are all in admiration of your backhand, but I want to know which strokes you like with other players (including retired)? Who are your best friends on the tour? Many young Frenchies are on the tour and some move on fast. Who has the biggest potential in your view? And finally: When do you think that you played the best tennis of your career?

I always worked on my physique, maybe I worked a bit more on it [recently] because [before] I had periods of interruptions when I played a lot of tourneys [The original is not quite clear here]. It is hard to bring in line matches and physical work. – I like all the strokes of the players and the way they use them. I have the opportunity to test their efficiency when I am on the other side. – I like being with the French, Gael in his extravagance. – All of them have big potential: Eysseric, Ruffin, Mina, Mannarino…And more will show up, those I have forgotten will excuse me. – The three last sets against Roddick in Wimbledon and a match against Robredo in Stuttgart 2004.

Wawrinka became a father, Simon too. I ask myself if you want – maybe not immediately – but in the future become a father too? Is this important for you in the years to come?

For the moment I feel no ambition, but in the future this is probably important.

Is your desire to win as strong now as it was earlier in your career? Greater? What keeps you motivated?

My desire to win is as great as always. My love for the game is the main reason.

Even if you go DC, will you be in Metz? [….] What is your programme?

Of course, I will be in Metz. I like this tournament and city a lot. - Tokyo, Shanghai, Montpellier, Basel, Paris.

What are your objectives for the next season? Do you think you will be able to re-enter the Top Ten?

Improve my game and return, if possible to the Top ten.

How do you feel after this US Open? How id you find your game, Are you pleased with yourself? What are your objectives for next year?

I feel satisfied for reaching the second week and unsatisfied for not having won that last match. - I am rather pleased with my level of play, but I feel I have large room for improvement. – Top Ten.

This seems to be your way of reaching out to your fans. Can we expect some more of this in the future? If so, do you have any ideas so far? It would be nice to feel appreciated of our support. – I’ve noticed that you usually train during the off season in high altitude places. Have you thought about changing this and train in places with extremely hot weather just so you can tolerate humidity much better in the future?

I have always respected and appreciated my fans, I feel maybe better the need to explain certain things than keeping them to myself. Yes, without problem. - I have not yet decided the location of my next practise.

Richard, how will you deal with all those questions?

No problem, it is my pleasure. All who support me deserve it.

Why don’t you play doubles?

I did it often. I have won doubles. What pulls me back is the fear of forcing too much on the service. But I love doubles.

At 24, ideal age for a sportsman of high level, all dreams are allowed, what are your dreams?

First to play and to win great tournaments, Roland Garros, Wimbledon.

After having read that your collaboration with Markus stopped, the obvious question is why?

It is a logistical problem. Geographic distance simply.

We know that since you were a kid, the press studied your smallest progress and disappointment. I would like to know, what value you give to the journalists’ articles, whether you read the press before or after the matches, if you are affected by it or take your distance? I want to know what you think when you lead 2-0 in a GS match- Are you relaxed telling yourself that you are safe and that there is only one left or do you think at past experiences […] and the mistakes you made in those matches?
I want to know what you do after a match whatever the result. Are you excited, full of energy or do you need a rest? Do you do a debriefing with your coach?

I have read the specialised and general press for a long time, and at a certain moment, I was really deeply hurt. I don’t pay attention anymore, if it is good or bad. – I am not at all relaxed at that moment and the difficulty is not to be too tense either. – When I have lost a match, I am extremely nerved. An immediate debriefing can be painful for me.

[Ney]

Thanks again, Puschkin. You’re an “angel”

Richard somehow refused to answer some of the questions, but got talkative when it comes to football.

Interesting he made mention of Asian cities and made particular mention of Bombay – I haven’t been there but hope to go someday……and somehow I felt the need to get this in bold: “When will you deliver a good beat-down to Murray in a GS? - – As soon as possible, I hope, Murray and many others”. Bring it on!!!.

He also said he wears hat when it’s +40 degrees. I remembered reading that he also wears it when his hair is long?.......

Top 10! His main objective for next year, and not to become a father ha ha – I’m glad we made that clear, Richard …….

Stuttgart 2004 against Robredo – unfortunately, I haven’t seen this match – anybody here did?

“I have always respected and appreciated my fans” – aww great! thanks, Richard! ….. “Can we expect some more of this in the future? - “Yes, without problem” – yay!!! Maybe we need to come up with suggestions on what to do next, like maybe a “fan chat” on this forum – I want to see his answers LIVE and how fast he types, or responds; or maybe, a free backhand lesson to all members of RG.net (would be cool). Or maybe, we can help him with his Foundation, outreach and all? (of course, he should be there too )

He said “logistical problem”/geographic distance why he split with Markus – is it really that simple? I would have loved for the partnership with Markus to continue. He seemed to have helped Richard a lot in their only few months together…….

And, I wish he answered the question about being up 2 sets-0 in more detail.

[cheska]

[kohu]

[cheska]

[amurti]

Puschking, thanks a million for the translation - greatly appreciated.

Richard's answers were short and to the point but happy to hear anything from Richie and happy that he answered some questions from his fans.

Also wonderful to know his feelings about when the fans should encourage his play at games - good to know next time I'm at one of his games.

I'm also surprised he split with Markus because I felt he was really doing well with this guy. Who is he with now|?

Re the match last night with Matthiew - I was thrilled he came through and he obviously fought to the very end. I watched the scoreboard and it seemed like a high level of play with both ending with the same points. Great win for Richard and hope he goes all the way in this tournamend.
I just love to see Richard in those very close games and coming out with the win in the end and in a tie-break.

Good luck Richard for the rest of the tournament. Back to work I must go now.

[Puschkin]

Richard agreed to another questions and answers session. Questions to be posted before 20 May on this thread:

http://www.richardgasquet.net/V3/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2664&sid=8a8172d614ad425957bee7a3e52a294f

I had mentioned this in my talk to his mother in Monte Carlo and the Webmaster did the follow-up.

My French is not perfect, but if somebody needs assistance, send me a pm.

[Ney]

Thanks again for mentioning this to his mom, Puschkin.

[Puschkin]

[Ney]

[GasquetAllez]

Any news about which questions were chosen?
I'm sure Gasquet is pretty busy right now, another set and he's on 3rd round, allez!

[GasquetAllez]

Any news about the questions?maybe I missed them on the homepage, did he answer?

[Ney]

I noticed from the French thread that he has started answering some of the questions (at long last!).....google translation is funny....can someone please translate? would be greatly appreciated....

Puschkin, where are you? we need your expertise