Facing the Belgian Zizou Bergs this Monday afternoon, Arthur Cazaux will discover the London lawns where he can give his season a boost, in the event of success.
When we asked him if the British public was different from that of Paris, the little pailladin could not hide his smile: “Yes of course, it’s a different culture and atmosphere,” he replied after a winning exhibition against the young Italian Matteo Arnaldi, Wednesday in London. “We’re all in white, we’re very classy and I like that.”
At the age of 21, Arthur Cazaux will discover for the first time in his career the temple of tradition that is the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, host of the oldest tournament in the world, Wimbledon.
“It’s a real source of priderecognizes the Héraultais. This year, there are a lot of firsts, it’s cool. It’s a legendary tournament. It’s a place where, when you’re there, you feel that there’s a story behind it and you want to honor all that.”
“I’ve always been pretty comfortable on grass, whether it was in juniors or even last year”
Looking for a new lease of life, Cazaux would be well inspired to do so. The magnificent adventure at the Australian Open – ended in the round of 16 – seems far away for the 98th in the world. The fault lies with an organization that may have been a little overstretched after its best career result, sounding the alarm with discomfort in Miami.
And above all bad luck with this right ankle hanging on a baseline in Barcelona, preventing him from performing well on a clay court unfavorable to his powerful game. Disturbing it again when the grass arrives, already a little more in line with its characteristics.
“I have always been quite comfortable on grass, whether in juniors or even last yearhe says. I think I have a game that lends itself quite well to it with my flat shots and my serve. But I haven’t been able to show it off in recent weeks because I’ve had trouble adapting to movement because of my ankle. Especially since the grass was slippery in Europe because the weather wasn’t very good. And since it’s a very demanding surface and really very complicated in terms of movement…”
Not far from 100%
As a result, the Montpellier player is on a current series of seven defeats at the start of his tournament in London, this Monday afternoon, with no reference on grass other than this exhibition victory. However, the main interested party is not worried about it, thanks to a very good week of training in the English capital.
“The weather was great, the pitches were great. I really regained confidence in my support. I’m going to get really close to an optimal level physically. I really feel ready to show what I’m really capable of on the grass”he continues.
Not a first against Zizou
Facing him this Monday, he will have to face a Zizou Bergs (79th) in form for several weeks, between second rounds reached in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and at Queen’s as well as a third round at Roland-Garros after having passed through the jungle of qualifications… like this week at Wimbledon.
“I know him well, we played each other at the US Open in qualifying last year (victoire 6-3, 6-2). He is someone very explosive and athletic, like me. It’s going to be a great fight. I feel ready and it’s this type of match that I’m training for.”
