Roland-Garros 2022 – Moutet had the right to live his dream against Nadal: “I would have liked to play all night against him” – Eurosport FR

He left Central to a standing ovation. But some encouragements weigh more than others. When Corentin Moutet sped towards the locker room, he was accompanied by heartfelt applause from Rafael Nadal. The story of this uneventful 2nd round for the Spaniard probably lies in this moment: Moutet lived his fairy tale, the victory less but the emotions increased tenfold. In the mixed zone after the match, he first confessed his disappointment with the final result, not necessarily as to the identity of his executioner. “It was intense, I had moments when I managed to play almost on an equal level but it was really throughout the match that it was hard to hold, admitted Moutet, dismissed in three sets by Nadal (6-1, 6-3, 6-4). The intensity, always staying aggressive, his ball is super fast, it goes up a lot. So it was a very physical match even if it wasn’t that long than that”.Roland-GarrosThe idol was ruthless: Nadal corrects Moutet and goes to the 3rd round5 HOURS AGO”To have fun, I think there is nothing easier”Quickly, he understood : if his idol has such a substantial track record, it’s probably because he has weapons that most mortals can’t control. So he tried. But, above all, he loved it. “Frankly, I take advantage of all the matches, especially at Roland-Garros, there is always a lot of public, I have the chance to play on big courts, he explained. There, in night session… For having fun, I think there is nothing easier. I had a lot of fun even if the competitive side is also there, there is disappointment.””Once again, Alcaraz shows its resources, more than his weaknesses “But, he assures him, he lived this match “thoroughly” and leaves “without regret”. Probably because basically, the essential was elsewhere. For one evening, the gamer Moutet became little Corentin again, the one who put on his idol’s tank top while imagining himself playing on the biggest stages. And that is priceless. “It was a goal before he stopped his career, before I stopped mine too, he said. There, at Roland, there were all the conditions I dreamed of when I started the tennis. Besides, I wasn’t even dreaming, I didn’t think it would be possible one day to play against him at Roland-Garros. When you start and you play in his room on the wall, you can’t imagine that one day it will be on TV. If I take a step back, frankly it’s incredible to be where I am today, to live that. “And the foot in all that? “It’s still Nadal!” Time will no doubt soften the bitterness of defeat. Because these memories are rare and therefore precious. “It’s a moment that will be unique, that belongs to me and that I will keep forever in my head, he added. I would have liked to play all night against him.” Not sure that the converse is true as the Spaniard seemed in a hurry not to drag out excessively on the court. Moreover, Corentin Moutet did not notice anything special about Rafa: the whole panoply of the champion seems to you. Asked about the physique of his idol, one-night rival, he quickly cut it short: “Don’t worry about him. He has 21 GC, he’s fine. He’s there, he’s present, it’s still Nadal !”Roland-Garros”I even slept with Rafa’s tank top”: Moutet will challenge his idol YESTERDAY At 9:24 PM