Paris (AFP)

"After that, I will go back to the Challenger and resume training to try to be even stronger": after his incredible career at Roland Garros, Hugo Gaston, 239th in the world and beneficiary of an invitation, keeps his feet on the ground.

Beaten in five sets on Sunday night by the world No. 3, Dominic Thiem, 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-3 in the round of 16, the young Frenchman of just 20 years old now hopes to reach "as quickly as possible" in the World Top 100 to "come back even stronger" to Roland-Garros next year.

Q: How do you feel after this incredible match against Dominic Thiem?

A: "I inevitably feel a little disappointment to have lost, but also a lot of pride. I lose 6-3 in the 5th set against Dominic who is a very great player, I have no regrets. I am coming out of this game with my head held high. I'm very happy with what I did. The crowd helped me a lot, pushed me a lot, I want to thank them. I'm very happy with my tournament. Playing against great players , it necessarily makes you grow, I gain experience. I gave everything, and that's also what I'm proud of (...) Playing against players like that and seeing that we have the level and that we hold for a long time, it makes you want to go back to train to be even stronger. Today I was not far away. It's nice, I had a very, very good week. I'm very happy of my level of play, of my attitude. I must continue in this direction. I hope to have good results thereafter. "

Q: And precisely the rest, how do you imagine it?

A: "Already, for the moment, I will enjoy and recover, also savor even if I lost tonight. But after that it will inevitably be different, with my trainer we are going to start again on the Challenger, it is currently my circuit. . The goal is to be in the top 100 in the world as quickly as possible. I hope that next year I will come back here without needing an invitation. So I will go back to train to try to to be even stronger and to win matches. "

Q: You got a standing ovation from the audience at the end, did you expect it?

A: "I wasn't necessarily expecting it. But it makes me very happy, it warms my heart that the public encourages me like that. And to have a standing ovation at the end, on the central court of Roland-Garros, for me it's wonderful. Of course I would have liked to win but it's always nice to come out of the field with an atmosphere like that, and I really want to thank all the people who encouraged me ".

Q: It feels like there isn't much that disturbs you emotionally.

How do you deal with your emotions?

A: "Obviously there are times in my head where it boils. But now, to be honest, I felt really good mentally in the tournament. I felt really ready to play long matches. I felt less good physically than the opponent and that's also what made me feel solid in my head. Afterwards, of course I have emotions, but I try not to show them, to stay focused so as not to not disturb my game. And for that I am very happy. "

Q: During this match, you attempted 55 drops, with 72% success.

Do you really like this shot?

A: "I have always loved the little game, and cushioning is part of my game. Sometimes I maybe do a little too much, or not at the right time. I have apparently won quite a few points. with that, obviously it's good. I will continue, without abusing it either. It is a very important move in my game, I will use it wisely ".

Interview at a press conference

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