C. RUUD/F. Auger-Aliassime
7-6, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Tough luck, Felix. What do you think made the difference today?
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Probably the return. I feel like in the last few weeks, months, when I was playing well, I was returning much better than I did today.
Still serving great, apart from one game where it wasn't even my serve. I did a few mistakes, bad mistakes, in the second set.
I felt like I could have returned much better and give myself chances because I won a few points on my return, and that's not enough against a player like Casper. I think that was the main thing.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. There was a rumor yesterday about the fact that you're probably not feeling that good, that you were a bit sick. Is it just a rumor or is it true?
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: It was tough in Paris. In the fall you get sometimes a cold. But nothing bad, you know? I had a few days to recover since then. It's nothing that affected me today.
Yeah, I've been dealing with a normal, little virus in the last few days, but nothing that bad. Yeah, like I said, nothing that affected today.
Q. How do you manage the situation now? You have two big tournaments like this, then Davis Cup. For sure you have a lot of fatigue after one season like this.
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Uh-huh.
Q. How can you deal with this situation, the will to do well and at the same time not to feel so well?
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, no, I feel normal like in my mind, in my motivation. I feel like start of the year or at the end of the year. Doesn't matter to me. I try to approach every tournament the same, every match the same.
Today I had Casper in front of me. I was just trying my best to win. Doesn't matter where we are in the year. As long as my body feels good, I have no problem physically, I can give the most out of myself and make the effort. That's not a problem.
I've been in situations like this before where I lose a match in team competition, I have to play again. Now it will be the same. The day after tomorrow I will go on the court and try to win. Hopefully I go through and win the next one, as well.
But, yeah, I have high motivation. No problem, yeah.
Q. Talk about the likelihood of having to beat both Rafa and Taylor, particularly Rafa, in order to make the semifinals.
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, yeah, no, my back is against the wall, for sure. It would have been better to start off with a win here. For Casper, I'm sure it's a big weight off his shoulder.
For me, I need to bounce back and play better, play a little bit better. I'm not far from playing well, but there's a few things I can do better.
I will try to use the day tomorrow to do that, to work on a few things, then see how it goes the next day. We'll see who I play. They're playing tonight. I guess I play the loser of this match. But, yeah, I'm ready for it.
At the end of the day, yeah, wasn't my way, but I'm ready for the challenge, for sure.
Q. It's your first time here at Nitto. Do you think there could be a little bit of stress for the first time you played here? It's a big achievement for you. Could have been that you felt that in the match.
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, I was thinking about it the last few days. It's kind of strange. You have this stress and pressure, like this energy to qualify for this event the whole year, especially at the end of the year, the way I did it. It's like you go there, but there's still matches to play and compete. It's not like, Now I qualified and I can rest (laughter). No, I was thinking that would be a mistake, to come here and act like I'm happy and this is it.
I felt good today. No problem actually. I was thinking, yeah, maybe my first time I'm not going to feel great. From the first balls, I felt good, I felt like normal.
I've played on other big stages before. This match doesn't feel any different. I feel like we could have been anywhere, at any tournament, probably would have felt the same. Actually I feel just very focused and motivated to try to win every point, every game, yeah.
Q. Congratulations for the end of the season. You played well the last months. Do you think something should be changed since there are so many people who are injured at the end of the year? That happens every year. What do you suggest? What should be done? Depends on the players that should play less or on the ATP circuit should be shorter?
FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Or we need to work harder. I don't know (smiling). That's also an option, right?
People in life, athletes, any job, they prepare for many different things, difficult things, much more difficult than what we do.
At the end of the day, I mean, it's about preparation and about discipline to try to stay ready, and to accept that's the reality, the season. Yeah, there's not much break. You try to manage along the year, try to prepare yourself.
We're never guaranteed to not be injured. I don't think it will change. I don't think it should in any way change.
Yeah, for sure more rest would benefit some players, but also give less opportunity to compete and for many players to win money. I think it's okay as it is. Players need to be ready for the challenge, yeah.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports