That is Ugo Humbert: An ascendant star & a musician | ATP Tour

This Is Tennis

That is Ugo Humbert: An ascendant star & a musician

Study extra concerning the Frenchman on and off the court docket

October 31, 2024

Editor’s Observe: This story was initially revealed on 12 April 2024. On the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters, Frenchman Ugo Humbert thrilled his residence crowd with a memorable upset win in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz. 

The highest of the PIF ATP Stay Race To Turin is suffering from the game’s greatest stars. Of the eight gamers presently holding a qualification place for the Nitto ATP Finals, seven have competed within the season finale and the opposite, fifth-placed Alex de Minaur, is on the planet’s High 10.

The participant in ninth place is Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters quarter-finalist Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman, very a lot in competition for a spot in Turin, has quietly been enjoying the most effective tennis of his profession and is even forward of Twelfth-placed Novak Djokovic within the Stay Race.

“I noticed that and it was actually, actually humorous. On the finish of Dubai, my coach stated ‘It is humorous, you’re seventh within the race and Djokovic is eighth’. I used to be proud!” Humbert informed ATPTour.com. “For me it is an increasing number of thrilling as a result of my aim is that I want to attain the High 10. So I’m looking for the main points to attain this aim.”

To this point this season Humbert has received titles in Marseille and Dubai. The lefty’s report is 18-5 and he has solely misplaced two matches in straight units.

His method for fulfillment isn’t any secret. Humbert is performing higher on each serve and return than he has on common all through his profession.

In line with Infosys ATP Stats, the French No. 1 has made enhancements this yr in service video games received (87%), buoyed by a better charge of break factors saved (68%) and second-serve factors received (58%). He has additionally received a better share of return video games (21%), partially helped by a bump in second-serve return success (53%).

The 6’2” lefty has a strong sport. Humbert hits a flat ball and is unafraid of standing on high of the baseline to place strain on his opponent. His breakthrough below coach Jeremy Chardy, as soon as the No. 25 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings, has been extra psychological than technical. He has been working laborious at staying calm below strain.

“Attempt to keep calm and actually, actually current on this level, on every ball,” Humbert stated. “I attempt to repeat issues that I am assured in my decisions [with] to have extra likelihood to win the purpose.”

Staying calm whereas attempting to make progress has been a part of Humbert’s life since he was a baby, and never simply on the tennis court docket. When the Frenchman was 5 years outdated, his mother and father had him start taking piano classes.

At 12, when he moved to Paris practice below the French Tennis Federation, Humbert took his piano with him and performed it for an hour a day. Listening to Humbert play the piano at the moment is an exciting expertise — passers-by would assume he’s a musician, not a tennis participant.

However for the 25-year-old, one got here a lot simpler than the opposite.

“Tennis for positive as a result of it was my ardour. Piano, I did not wish to play firstly, nevertheless it was my mother and father who compelled me to play,” Humbert stated, cracking amusing. “So for 2 or three years, in fact I used to be horrible since you can not play something. And after three or 4 years, after I might do one thing, some melodies, it was somewhat bit higher.”

Humbert additionally started studying the guitar at age 10, however stopped for greater than 5 years. About two years in the past, he started enjoying it extra typically and has been travelling with a Silent Guitar. Followers have loved watching social media posts by which he has performed the guitar and his girlfriend, WTA participant Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, has sung.

“He likes enjoying the blues, rock and jazz music. He loves the piano, the guitar. He loves this type of music,” Andrianjafitrimo stated. “I feel he has enjoyable in it. He has a lot enjoyable, so he can calm down.”

Humbert added: “For me, it is extra enjoyable to play piano than guitar as a result of I am higher at piano, so it is simpler to deal with somewhat bit. But it surely’s good to play some music, to consider one thing totally different, to be not in tennis each time.”

Humbert’s aggressive, front-foot sport is the other of his laid-back character. The Frenchman defined that regardless that his sport seems a sure approach, his mindset will not be a lot totally different than when he’s sitting on the piano.

“In tennis, okay, I play sturdy, quick. However inside I strive in my thoughts to be actually calm and actually cool and actually give attention to what I’ve to do. And piano for me, it is precisely the identical,” Humbert stated. “Even when I play one thing like Mozart, Beethoven, a classical track, it is precisely the identical. Mentally I’ve to be calm and targeted on what I’ve to do.”

Ugo Humbert”>Photograph: ATP Tour/Getty ImagesThat focus has helped Humbert climb into Nitto ATP Finals competition and inside placing vary of the world’s High 10.

Former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille has been blissful to see the latest surge from his countryman. The 30-year-old believes Humbert nonetheless has room to develop, too.

“In his sport, no limits. I feel he has no limits and mentally as nicely,” Pouille stated. “Two years in the past he was feeling not so nicely. He went again within the rankings, outdoors of the High 100. Final yr, this time of yr [in March], he was enjoying a Challenger in Pau.

“It is at all times nice to see a French participant coming again to the highest. And I feel we have been used to having these sorts of gamers within the High 10, High 20, High 30, High 100. We had so many who it is vital to nonetheless have some gamers like this.”

Humbert is at No. 13 within the PIF ATP Stay Rankings and Pouille defined his feeling that “High 15 is the start for him”.

“Hopefully he can carry out nicely within the Grand Slams quickly. That is the place the massive factors are. That is the place he nonetheless hasn’t performed in addition to he desires,” Pouille stated. “However I am positive it’ll come quickly due to the boldness he has now. I feel he’s one step higher than he was once.”

In a approach Humbert’s ascent has been just like his growing consolation as a musician. Step-by-step he has continued to work and study. Now, he is among the greatest tennis gamers on the planet.

“I feel [it takes] time. You began when you’re tremendous younger, and also you began to play some tournaments. You’re higher and higher with strain,” Humbert stated. “For me once you work laborious, and you are feeling you’re higher and higher and able to go in competitors, you’re feeling much less strain.”

THIS IS TENNIS – ATP Tour 2024 marketing campaign is all about reaching out to followers celebrating, championing and showcasing the perfect from tennis each on and off court docket. Take a look at our hero model movie.