Tennis - Wimbledon : Mahut : "So great ".

Nicolas Mahut , the unfortunate hero of the longest match in history, losing 70-68 in the fifth set against John Isner , said that both players have " pushed the limits "this year at Wimbledon. After playing a new game in doubles, the French still had difficulty speaking .

Nicolas Mahut , you conscious of being part of history ?
NM : I know this because the numbers speak for themselves. After that, I think I need a little perspective. I did not want to introduce myself to you (the press ) too early , because I still can not express how I feel. It was so fantastic , so many feelings to share in this game. I know we are entered both in history and that he is out of the short victorious.

Are you aware of having won the esteem of all the great?
NM : Not really, because I have not read the newspapers , not watching TV. This morning, I bought a French newspaper, but I only watched the football part .

How did you experience this amazing game ?
NM: I was feeling increasingly strong , I felt like playing the best tennis of my career. Mentally , I was really strong , I took the energy of everyone. I felt like I never stop , to control my service games . I always kept that in mind when it would pass . I waited for this moment . But he did not come.

You were on another planet ?
NM : I thought that I managed to exceed certain limits. We're all the same, we sometimes get the feeling of having arrived at the end. Finally , I realized we could go much further . I could go much further. The mind has taken over. I realized that could go beyond pain , fatigue . That morning, I had very sore abs , I had difficulty in qualifying . " But I have decided not to show it was going to use what?

What did you think of the small ceremony on the court?
N.M. : I do not remember very well. I remember that Tim Henman was there, I had to talk shit in English . Since the match , I was not really there . They wanted to mark the occasion . For me, this is the greatest tournament in the world , I want to make one day something big ... on outcomes . Making this record here is a particular sign.

John Isner said you were now bound by this game ...
N.M. : he's right. We do not know well, you got to know for three days. It's hard for me because we talk about this game until the end of my career and it's constantly reminding me that I lost . My coaches told me that it went beyond victory / defeat. I hope that in retrospect , I have the strength to think the same thing .

Santoro, The previous record holder, the longest match with Clement , said that the game does not deserve a loser there ...
NM : Yes , but it is the rule of the game is tennis . It has pushed the boundaries , we went very far , but it had to end .

And you chained to a double ...
NM : Arnaud (Clement, his Partner) did not play. It's true I was not feeling very well after my match . Arnaud did not take any chances . But I wanted to go because surrender would have meant a second defeat . I knew it was on the same court. I wanted to go back and win this time.