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DUN I LOVE pisze: ma perfekcyjny bilans finałów na zapleczu ATP (5-0).

Q. Can you tell us about the last set in particular, how you saw it?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, it was just wrong with me. It was 6‑2, easy. He was the better player than me.

Q. You played well. Too bad you lost, but especially in the ‑ I think four match points you had and two in your own serve. What went through your mind? During the exchange, you came quite close to concluding the match. What happened? Was it psychological problem, or did you believe you were going to win? How did you live those four match points?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I think I went for my shot. I missed I think backhand down the line in the net and then a forehand, then I played quite good. He was running quite well, you know. And so I have to give him credit because I think I wasn't shy. I went for my shots, I miss maybe some, but some he played good points. You have to give him credit.

Q. How do you walk out of such a match? It's always very difficult to have match points, and you fought your way back. Can you believe you're satisfied in some way, maybe not immediately?

GAËL MONFILS: Of course not. I'm not satisfied. I lost the match. It was very close. And when you lose a match, you're not happy. But you can always find something positive in the match. Today was a tough match again, and I just gave it all. Tommy was simply a better player than me. Congratulations. No regrets. I just did everything I could.

Q. Would you say it's a physical defeat because he was physically very strong and you felt you were running out of steam? Was a physical problem?

GAËL MONFILS: If I really lose for physical reasons, but maybe today he was physically fitter than me. Already during the match I started feeling some problems. I tried to hide it, but there comes a stage when whatever you do to hide your physical problems you can no longer hide them, and he became stronger and stronger. Again, congratulations. He fought really well, physically speaking, and he won. It is frustrating, because I don't like to lose matches for physical or fitness matches. But today I have to admit he was stronger.

Q. Does it explain the fact that you were no longer pushing, you were simply not hitting on your first ball anymore?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I could have played some aces. If I could have played aces, I would have.

Q. Can we come to the four match points? No regrets?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, maybe that forehand along the line, which was too long. But I took a chance. The one I really remember vividly is that backhand along the line that went into the net. I was against the wind, but, you know, I should have taken more margin. But I really went for it. And then I remember another one, a really long rally, I finished with a cross‑court the forehand, but again I couldn't catch it. There was that forehand. And that forehand along the line. And the fourth ball I missed, I can't remember why. I don't remember what I did on the fourth match point.

Q. Do you feel that it is a logical conclusion that you simply were tired or maybe the quarterfinals or semifinals ‑ I don't know. Considering what you have been through in the last few weeks, it makes sense you should simply grow tired.

GAËL MONFILS: No, no, there is no logic. I prefer to lose for tennis players rather than fitness reasons. But, yes, it does make sense. The longer you stay on court, and the tougher it becomes for me. And I believe that my opponent started feeling that I was running out of steam. I still managed to hold on in there for quite some time, although I wasn't feeling too well. Again, I'd rather lose for tennis reasons than physical reasons. It's less frustrating.

Q. So how are you going to leverage on what you've been through the last few weeks? The other day we talked about a departure.

GAËL MONFILS: Well, it's been a long time.

Q. Yes, but regarding your results.

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I was happy in the beginning of the year. Doha, Auckland, third round in Australia, I played some very good players. I could not really express myself, but the matches were good. It's more or less the same thing. I'm walking out of the first half season on clay, and then there will be the grass season. I have lessons to learn and things I can improve. But that's that. I don't remember who said that, but next year I hope to Madrid and Rome and to be able to rest the week before.

Q. This physical defeat, in the fifth set, were you feeling an overwhelming fatigue, or did you have cramps or sore muscles, or was your morale suffering?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I won the first set, and starting with 2‑1 in the second one I wasn't too well. I told my father that starting when I was 2‑1 in the second set I wasn't feeling too well. And, then, you know, we know what happened next. It wasn't easy.

Q. This morning you knew after the match against Gulbis that you were simply drained. How were you feeling?

GAËL MONFILS: Well, I wasn't feeling top form. There is adrenaline kicking in obviously that can make a difference. I knew I was not feeling too well. And in the beginning it wasn't going too well and it even worsened relatively early in the match. I thought it would come later, but I had to try and manage the situation and not show that I wasn't feeling too well and I had to go on fighting.