Misolic motivated by former champions

Twelve months on and Misolic ousted No.2 seed Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to earn his main draw ticket.

“I feel great, it’s unbelievable to achieve this again", he said. "Hopefully I can get at least the same result as last year and more further in the tournament.

“Every match, every round here at Roland-Garros gives me so many emotions. I know I can compete with the guys in the main draw, I’m just excited to get started.”

Misolic has longed for a show court moment in Paris since growing up watching compatriot Dominic Thiem fight to two runner-up spots in 2018 and 2019.

“I watched Roland-Garros every year on the TV from about 10, especially with Domi in the finals,” Misolic added. “It feels amazing, especially when you see someone like that doing so well from your country, you want to join them, to play on these big courts. So this week makes me very proud I can feel that here again.”

Alongside Thiem, who won the US Open title in 2020, Misolic is keen to evolve his game with input from other major champions such as Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.

“[Murray] was my favourite player to watch from when I was young right until he stopped. I don’t know exactly why, I just love him,” Misolic said of RG 2016 finalist.

“Andy had unbelievable fighting spirit, he’s a huge inspiration for me and I’m sure every player. I can look up to him and see a lot of things that I can do myself.

“I can’t say that we have the same game, I’m not that good in defence or running like Andy, but I can learn from watching him.”

Just ahead of US Open 2024 Misolic was invited for a week of practice with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

“That was a huge opportunity and huge experience for me,” the world No.155 said.

“Just hitting you learned so much, how he played, acted. He was so generous with his advice and I was really honoured to spend that time together.

“Hopefully we can meet up in big stages, in tournaments. My No.1 goal would be to play Novak on Court Philippe-Chatrier!”

Misolic would like to work more on his fitness and is also trying to express himself more to fire up the competitive flow.

“It’s a process for sure. Away from sport I’m very calm, in matches I think being calm gives me a lot of strength. It means I’m good in the head, mentally I can take a lot, I never quit. I’ll always fight back whatever the score is,” he said.

“I also try to give more emotions. I want it to be natural and it feels good when you show emotion.”

Elsewhere, Lloyd Harris beat former world No.3 Marin Cilic 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to return to the main draw mix.

Benjamin Hassan enjoyed a milestone win, becoming the first Lebanese man in the Open era to qualify for the Roland-Garros singles main draw. The world No.177 edged Japan’s James Trotter 6-2, 7-6(5) for a main draw spot.