If there is only one left: Geoffrey Blancaneaux is the only Frenchman to have spent the qualifying week to find himself in the big picture at Roland-Garros. If it needed a new sign of the poor health of tricolor tennis, here is an additional one.
That doesn’t spoil the fun for the former juniors winner here in 2016 who enters the Grand Slam draw for only the second time in his career after an appearance at the US Open in 2017. in Paris where he was born, Blancaneaux, 23, had never managed to get out of qualifying until then.
How do you feel after finally coming out of qualifying?
GEOFFREY BLANCANEAUX. I’m really enjoying the moment, it’s amazing. It rewards so much effort. The inner joy when you’ve accomplished something you wanted from the bottom of your heart is so amazing. My goal this year was to play a Grand Slam, I managed it on the second attempt (after Australia). I’m very happy.
Did you look on cloud nine during your match against the German Masur this Friday, won 6-1 6-3?
I approached it well and I managed to keep the intensity and the rigor to achieve what sometimes looked like the perfect match. He would have been if I had won the second set more easily. However, I knew I had it under control if it had to last even longer.
You did a lap of honor with the French flag. Was it premeditated?
It’s the first time in my life that I’ve done this. I loved it incredibly. I loved it, I hope I can do it again when I win my first round match.
Is it stronger to qualify for the main round than to win the junior tournament?
It’s different. I have matured a lot since 2016 even if my best period remains when I won here in juniors.
Have you looked at the main draw?
Not at all, I don’t know who I’m going to play against (Editor’s note: he will face the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the first round). It’s not determined yet and, anyway, I don’t want to watch it right away. I will do it tomorrow Saturday. For now, I’m enjoying it.
Did you think about your whole career during this day?
A little. I had a lot of galleys for 6 years. I was lucky to be well supported by my family. I was able to keep in touch with the high level to reach this kind of plenitude. I dreamed of it for a long time but the tournament is not over, fortunately.
How do you get through such a stressful week?
I haven’t slept for two days. The stress is enormous. Three years ago, I had already lost the third qualifying match and it’s not given to everyone to play matches like that. I had as much stress as desire. Now I need to sleep first to recover.
Your qualification also earns you a lot of money, 62,000 euros for players in the first round…
At my level, when I play a challenger tournament, all that I win, I spend on travel, training, care… I have no fixed income. When I win a future tournament match, I win 50 or 100 € in the first round, it goes up to 400 € on a challenger. It doesn’t even represent the plane ticket. When we play a Grand Slam, we also play our future.
It seems that you are going to play an interclub match this Sunday…
I played last Sunday at Nevers just before qualifying. I played a set so as not to get tired but, there, on Sunday, no, I gave up. Besides, maybe I’ll play the first round here.
Could this week be the trigger for your career?
She reassures me and tells me that I am a tennis player who can compete in Grand Slams. It’s like an accomplishment, the end of a lot of hardships to get there. I’m just very happy