Arthur Cazaux: “I don't feel like I'm on the street”, “I know that the organizers want it to continue, but not everyone in the city”

The Montpellier native left through the front door on Thursday evening at the Open Sud de France. Free Midi – Alexandre Dimou

Despite his defeat in three sets against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Thursday February 1 during the eighth of the Open Sud de France, Arthur Cazaux retained a very encouraging level of play, which he would like to repeat at Montpellier if the tournament were to continue in Hérault.

What comes first in your head, the level of play you offered this evening or the defeat ?

Obviously, I'm disappointed to lose with such a scenario, it always hurts a little. It was nothing, but I gave everything I had, I fought. I have a little regret in the first set because I broke right from the start. I didn't go far. This is encouraging for the future. I'm on the continuity, I'm playing good guys and I'm going to be led to play more and I'm not far away so that's encouraging.

Experience prevailed at the end of the match ?

Yes, I think it played a role, that's for sure. Scenarios like that, I haven't played many with this kind of atmosphere, so that plays a role too. The audience gave me so much energy by getting into me, which made me play well but maybe it cost me the energy needed in end of match. Maybe I should have channeled myself at the end. I gave myself at the end, he was very good at the important moments in the third set and that's what allowed him to win.

You imagined that in Montpellier with a speaker acquired through my fault ?

I wouldn't have thought of it at the start of the year. But when I returned to France I felt that there was a lot of enthusiasm. I saw that all of Montpellier was responding so I told myself that there was going to be a big atmosphere during the matches and that was the case. Whether it was my friends, the Montpellier public… It was crazy, I had a lot of fun even in defeat. It was a great experience, it's super pleasant to play in front of an audience that pushes you, shouts behind you and makes trashy chants (laughs). Obviously a little disappointed with the appearance of the match and the end, but that's tennis, I can't win all the time.

What separates Félix (30th) and you currently ?

Points already (laughs). In a match like that, I don't know it's hot. When I think about the third, managing important moments, my energy. In the game, I don't have the impression of being on the street facing this type of player. The level is there, I have to continue working, certain points need to be worked on so that when I play this type of player, moments that are a little hot like that, I don't break down.

With this atmosphere, you saw yourself winning ?

No, not necessarily. The atmosphere helped me so much to pull myself together in the second one. In the end, I still had this break, it pushed me. Maybe I got fired up to follow them at the end. But it’s not because of that. I made a few stupid mistakes which cost me dearly. Maybe if I manage my energy better… Afterwards I will see with my staff.

It’s a goal to impose yourself here ?

Yes, that's for sure, it's close to my heart to play against my loved ones, my family. I felt that my city responded to each of my matches. For that, the tournament will have to continue here. I know the organizers want it but not everyone in the city. We won't see what happens, I hope it will take place for a few years and it will always be close to my heart to come back here to try to win this title. I will always respond if he continues.