Royer: "There is room for something great, I hope this is just the beginning"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 23 Sep 2025 | 21.51

Royer: "There is room for something great, I hope this is just the beginning". Photo: Getty

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As Carlos Alcaraz often repeats, finals are meant to be won, but things don't always go as planned, and there always has to be a loser. In this case, at the ATP Hangzhou 2025, it was Valentin Royer who couldn't clinch the trophy, losing to Alexander Bublik in a match that was decided in two tiebreaks.

The French player remained optimistic despite the defeat. It was the first final for a Royer who drew valuable lessons from his experience in the Chinese tournament, also achieving the highest ranking of his career. These were Valentin's words in the interview with L'Equipe.

"It's a shame, it all came down to a few key moments. In the first tiebreak, I made two errors out of nowhere, small positioning mistakes that cost me dearly. In the second tiebreak, it was a bit different; I felt a little more nervous, a little less committed, even though I still had the advantage in serving.

Once again, it came down to small details that determined the match in just four or five shots, nothing more. A title is decided by details. However, it's been a super positive week; I really wanted to win, but it will have to be next time if I keep working like this and doing things right on and off the court."

The aspect he is most proud of from his week at the ATP Hangzhou 2025

"The mental aspect, without a doubt. I managed to stay calm all week, didn't lose control emotionally, and that's what I'm focusing on. I also served better, returned better; there are many positive aspects. I never told myself that I couldn't compete head-to-head with players like Rublev or Bublik, who are close to the top 10. Honestly, I tell myself I can reach them; there is room for something big. I'm happy to be close and hope this is just the beginning."

Emotions after losing in the final against Alexander Bublik

"It moved me because it represents a part of the journey. I saw all the sacrifice I made to get here, the tough decisions, the moments of doubt where I wondered about my future. I also thought a lot about my grandparents, who are sick; I think about them a lot. These are not easy times, but I also try to compete for them."