Arthur Cazaux: “Clay is a surface on which I can annoy a lot of guys,” announces the Frenchman before the start of the tournament in Barcelona

The Montpellier native begins his Barcelona tournament this Monday. Free Midi – Alexandre Dimou

Arthur Cazaux (75th) resumes his season this Monday at the Barcelona tournament against the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (38th), the opportunity to start the period clay court with Roland-Garros and the Paris 2024 Olympics in their sights. 

Are the complicated tour in the United States and the discomfort in Miami well behind you ?

I did tests that were quite reassuring for my heart. The doctors concluded that it was severe vagal discomfort due to severe fatigue and a severe drop in blood pressure possibly linked to dehydration. It took me a little while to get back into shape physically, I had to cut back a bit because I still felt dizzy when I started again.

Also read: For his return to competition, Arthur Cazaux will face a young Italian during the first round of the Barcelona tournament

How do you rate your season since the Australian Open?

I continue to learn since Melbourne with these big results at the start of the year. I was in pretty good shape, even in Dubai. But it’s true that, when I arrived on the American tour, there was a combination of circumstances that did not work in my favor. I found myself outside the picture in Indian Wells for three days but no one left, which is rather rare. So I wasn't at my best physically for my first match there because I arrived at the last minute from Dubai. Then there was what happened so I had some rest…hellip; But since I started again, I can't wait to see what it will be like in clay court tournaments.

Isn't this clay season coming at the best time for you to start a new cycle?

Yes, but there is still no good or bad time. On dirt, I haven't had my best results in recent years, but it's a surface on which I can annoy a lot of guys. Physically I have a good presence so I cover the ground well. It's going to be interesting to see what it's like against top players, I can't wait.

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How do you feel physically?

Quite frankly, I've been working hard on this over the last two weeks. I have done sessions of 2 h nbsp;even 3 h and I really feel ready to be competitive in big matches. It gave me a little time to prepare for this clay court season, to find my automatisms because it's been a while since I played on clay.

What do you need to work on at the start of each clay court season?

Find the slips, take more time during points while trying to be less rushed when catching balls and therefore remain patient in the game.

What will be the objective of the upcoming tournaments?

Trying to match as best as possible on clay, finding my bearings. I never set too many limits for myself, I'm going to set up my game on earth and we'll see.

Rafael Nadal is also present in Barcelona, ​​it would be good to play him no ?

Yes, that's for sure even if he's not in the same part of the table as me. But I met him in the locker room, yes.

Are you already thinking about Roland-Garros or is it still a little too far away?

Yes, definitely. It’s always a goal for me, especially since this year I will be in the final draw so that will be nice. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch there and meet the French public again. It is always important to me to give the best of myself in front of them and I will try to go as far as possible.

The Olympic Games are always in the back of your mind ?

Yes because I'm just fifth French in the race, it's necessarily in the back of my mind. A year ago I would not have thought that I would be in the race for the Olympics, I take the matches as they come. I know that there are some who have little headway so I'm not worrying, we'll see how it goes in the weeks that follow.

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