A major feat. The last Frenchman entered in the Rolex Paris Masters, Ugo Humbert qualified, Friday November 1, for his first semi-final in the Masters 1000, the category just below the Grand Slams. Conqueror from the start, Messin, 18th in the world and French number one, first held his place against the Americans Brandon Nakashima (35th) and Marcos Giron (49th).
Then, he did not tremble against the world number 2, Carlos Alcaraz, whom he mastered for the first time in his career, during his round of 16 (6-1, 3-6, 7-5), becoming the first Frenchman to win a victory over a Top 3 in this tournament since 2010 (Gaël Monfils beat Roger Federer in the semi-finals). “It’s the greatest victory of my career and the best moment I’ve had on a tennis court,” the player reacted after his victory against the Spaniard on Thursday October 31. “I was happy because I wanted him to enter the match, not as an outsider, but ready to go into battle. He was immediately aggressive. He went for this match. These were victories who can take a step forward”, rejoiced his trainer Jérémy Chardy, to franceinfo: sport.
1/4 final: the summary of the match Ugo Humbert vs Jordan Thomson
The next day, he did it again with the Australian Jordan Thompson, which he subdued in the quarter-finals (6-2, 7-6) on Friday November 1st. This new milestone allows him to become the first Frenchman to reach the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 since Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati in 2019. A result which does not surprise Arnaud Clément, ex-top 10 in the world, and consultant for franceinfo: sport. “He is returning to a level of play that he has already reached during the season. In terms of level of play and on very fast surfaces [comme celle du Rolex Paris Masters]this result [face à Alcaraz] was not something unimaginable”, he emphasizes.
“This is the surface on which he performs the best. His tennis is well regulated, he does not need to force. He takes the ball early, his balls will remain quite low. He has gathered all the conditions to succeed. 'impose.”
Arnaud Clément, ex-top 10 playerat franceinfo: sport
For his part, the main person concerned believes that he has found a certain serenity, which allows him to detach himself from the score. The result speaks for itself: “The thing I'm most proud of is that as soon as I'm on the court, I'm ready for anything. I'm never too worried. And I play by listening to myself, with a great feeling and that's it. is why in the end, I am able to make incredible shots to achieve victory”, explained Ugo Humbert at a press conference after qualifying for the semi-finals.
This qualification in the last four of a Masters 1000 is the fruit of a long work, undertaken in particular with Jérémy Chardy, his coach since July 2022. It is at his side that he achieves his best season in 2024, with two titles in quick succession in Marseille and Dubai (ATP 500), a quarter-final in Monte-Carlo (Masters 1000), a round of 16 at Wimbledon, a final in Tokyo (ATP 500) and a semi-final in Paris- Bercy. “The year has been very positive, analyzes Jérémy Chardy. This is the season in which he had the most victories. It’s a sign that he has progressed in all areas of the game: physical, technical and mental.”
Despite a drop in performance in the middle of the season, Ugo Humbert nevertheless managed to find the necessary resources to finish the year re-energized, and learned from 2024 to better manage his 2025 calendar. “When there were weeks when I played well, I wanted to continue straight away. You feel good, at the limit, you feel invincible, but […] After a while you realize that you're burned out because when you get to the end of tournaments, it still requires a lot of mental energy.” confided Ugo Humbert before entering the fray in Paris. The time for wisdom and maturity has therefore come.
Mentally, Ugo Humbert has also reached a new level. During his match against Carlos Alcaraz, he spoke loudly a lot on the court to encourage himself. “You can do it, you’re big, you’re strong, you work hard every day for these matches,” he repeated on the court. “He sometimes gets a little possessed, before or during matches, laughs Jérémy Chardy. He has really turned a corner in his head. He believes in himself more, which wasn't always the case before.”
“This year, for the first time, he realized that he could get into the 10. His goals changed. It also put more pressure on him, but it's a necessary step to get into the 10 .”
Jérémy Chardy, coach of Ugo Humbertat franceinfo: sport
“We see the work accomplished month after month, on the construction of his game, his state of mind and his self-confidence, which is essential. His game is so risky, that he needs this confidence” , confirms Arnaud Clément. “He also needs total trust in his coach. We see that he looks for him a lot. We feel that there is a real connection between them and we have the impression that everything starts from there. They found each other well”, he insists.
Emulation among French players, notably Arthur Fils (20th in the ATP) and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (31st), further contributes to Ugo Humbert's performance. “When you see the other French people who are playing well and having results, you want to play well too. They are pushing themselves to the top. As the French number 1 and the oldest player, Ugo wants to keep this rank “It's a healthy competition.” continues Jérémy Chardy.
Thanks to this confidence, the Frenchman learned to tap into the energy of the public to turn it into a strength, rather than feeling any form of pressure from it. “The fact that he has more control over his game allows him to express himself more on the court, to bring his personality there, and to share with the public what he loves more.” slips his trainer.
Transcended once again by the electric atmosphere of the Accor Arena, Ugo Humbert knew how to perfectly manage his role as favorite against Jordan Thompson. “He’s on a mission. Thursday, after his victory, he was not euphoric. He immediately focused on his next match.” His coach had slipped us. The mission therefore continues against the Russian Karen Khachanov, Saturday, for the French number 1, who is aiming for his first final in Paris, and why not his first Masters 1000 title.
