Pouille confident after rupturing his Achilles tendon: "We're counting on a comeback in early 2026".

Lucas Pouille spoke to AFP on Tuesday about the serious injury he sustained in Sunday's final of the Lille Challenger.

Although he was due to play in this week's tournament in Marseille, the Frenchman is now forced to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation period, but dismisses the idea of retirement that he mentioned immediately after his injury:

"The scar is sensitive, but it will go away with the pills. Before returning to competition, I'd say it'll take between seven and eight months.

We're looking at a return in early 2026. [...] I said I was going to do everything in my power to try and come back.

I thought that after a ruptured Achilles tendon, it was virtually impossible to play at the highest level again.

At the beginning of 2026, I'll have almost zero points, I'll be 600th or 700th in the world. If I start again at almost 32, I can still have three or four good years if I try to stay as injury-free as possible.

I'd like to win back a tournament and play a second Grand Slam week. I'd also like to play one last Davis Cup with the French team.

I want to do everything I can and give myself one last chance to do it.