The Israeli doubles’ specialist spoke of his love affair with the grand slam tournament after an epic contest in which all three sets were decided by tie-breakers in two hours and 31 minutes.
“Every year I say this could be my last Wimbledon,” Erlich told JC Sport. “Each time my wife will say it’s enough. It’s getting closer. I see it in her eyes and it’s getting closer, but as long as I have a good ranking I can still get in.
Erlich, who was interviewed with an ice-pack on his wrist, insists he is “feeling his age, but he is still here and still going strong”.
He won the Australian Open with countryman Andy Ram in 2008 but he believes his partnership with Matkowski works well.
“We’ve known each other for 20 years,” commented Erlich. “Marcin was free this year and so was I. This was our first match – you cannot get closer than three tie-breaks sets.
“He’s the perfect partner as he has a great serve. With my skills and his skills, they go well together – he has power and I just have to finish it at the net. He helps me and I help him. My serve was really solid and I was moving well at the net."
Erlich played the entire match on Court 15 wearing compression socks, due to a calf injury but he insists it was “just a precaution”.
And he said he would not miss the tournament as long as his ranking permits. “Wimbledon is such a special place for me,” said Erlich. “I always place well here and it’s a priviledge at my age to be able to play here.
“Some courts are better than others here. The bounce is different on certain courts but there was a great atmosphere and good crowd on a small court.”
Meanwhile, Diego Schwartzman will be looking to reach the third round of the Men's Singles on Thursday. He takes on Jiri Vesely in the fourth match on Court Eight.
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