Status: ATP no. 75.
HT: 5-9 WT: 156
DOB: April 19, 1999 IN: Paris, France
First Tennis Memory: For me it’s…I remember that I watch Nadal-Soderling Roland Garros (2009). I was playing in a tournament close to my hometown. I won the first set (age 10). I remember exactly the day because it was terrible, I was a big Nadal fan. And I won the first set against an older guy. And then the rain came. So we were waiting for my match to start again and I was watching Soderling-Nadal on the TV I remember. That’s my first big memory of tennis.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: I would say probably Roger (Federer) when I was practicing with him two years ago.
Last Book Read: It’s a French one. Oscar Wilde. I don’t know the title. Dorian Gray. I don’t know if it’s the last one. The last day before they execute him.
Current Car: I don’t have any car. I have my license but I don’t have a car at the moment.
Greatest Career Moment(s) (so far): I want to say two matches. Pella (2R 63 61 26 75) and Londero (3R 62 36 46 75 46) in Roland Garros last year. And the day this year when I beat Verdasco (QF 64 46 64) and Wawrinka (SF 36 75 63) in the same day in Doha. That’s one of the best memories of my life.
Most Painful Moment: Londero in Roland Garros. Same. It’s one of the greatest moments in my career. But the worst one as well.
Favorite Tournaments: Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I really like these two.
Why Do You Love Tennis: I have no idea. I was one years old and someone put a racquet in my hand. So I didn’t have any choice [smiles]. I like it since I was really, really young and it never changed. And I think it will never change in my life. I will have to live with that racquet.
Funniest Players Encountered: Monfils. Directly Monfils.
Closest Tennis Friends: I really like Davidovich. I really like the guys from #NEXTGEN. We are really close because we know each other from a long time. Popyrin. Many guys. There’s not one guy better than the other but many guys on the tour.
Strangest Match: I remember one match. It was not really strange but in my first final in the Futures (Italy in 2015, age 14) I played every round it was three hours and thirty minutes of a fight to win the match. It was incredible. I was so young so I was so tired every day. And every day I was like, Okay, let’s go. I have three hours again to fight. And in the final, it was my first final so I was really exhausted. And I won the first set 60. For me, I was young, and in my head I was like, This tournament is for me. And the guy (opponent in final Gianluca Naso) was retired, he didn’t play. And then I lost 64 64 in the second and third sets. I took some good lessons in this match [smiles].
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: Football I think. And I like golf as well. I’m not really good but I like it.
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: For sure…yeah…I have one [laughs]. Final of Europe in the championship, against Tsitsipas [smiles].
Favorite Players To Watch: Good question…Monfils. I like Kyrgios. And Roger, Rafa, many guys.
Pre-Match Feeling: Depends. Depends. How many people are in the crowd. So it can change. Sometimes…I’m always really excited. But more people in the crowd, the more excited I am.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Lemon. Lemon or caramel.
Which Match(es) Were You At Your Best: Yeah, yeah, I have one. In the qualies of a Challenger, Cherbourg (2016). I was playing perfect. I was injured. I had many blisters on my foot so I couldn’t walk. And it was the last round of qualies. In my head I was: I go on court, play a few games and then I will see. And then I beat the guy like 62 62. And I was trying to play a winner all the time. And all the time it was going in the court. All the time. And I didn’t move. I didn’t move but I kill the guy. I remember it was interesting. Poor guy. This day he wasn’t lucky.
People Qualities Most Admired: Humanity and open mind.
#NEXTGEN · Corentin Moutet · Paris Masters 1000