Packaged in Metz after his final at Bercy, Ugo Humbert will take a deserved vacation before approaching 2025 with relish. Its staff identified the areas of work.
“I've been playing on anti-inflammatories all week. You have to stop believing that I'm superhuman, I'm not a robot. I've taken a lot out of my head, I'm going to try to be intelligent this time.” Sunday evening, at a press conference after his lost final at the Masters 1000 at Paris-Bercy, Ugo Humbert maintained false suspense about his participation in the Moselle Open, of which he is the defending champion. This Monday, he formalized his withdrawal with the organizers. A “tile” for Julien Boutter, the tournament director, who intended to capitalize on the presence of the regional of the stage.
But Ugo Humbert didn't want to get hurt stupidly. He will be able to go on vacation with a free mind. He is guaranteed to finish the year ranked 14th in the world. A strategic spot for the Grand Slams.
But the Lorraine was already planning for the 2025 season. By trying, in particular, not to repeat the same mistakes. After his Marseille-Dubai winter double, he climbed to 13th place and wanted to grab the Top 10. Serious mistake. “I burned out this year just thinking about that,” he said at Bercy. “There, I didn’t even look where I was.”
“Ugo, he’s an artist, he’s a pianist”
In the next ranking, he will be 615 points behind Grigor Dimitrov. A handicap that he can “erase” if he shines in Australia. To get the next season off to a good start, his staff has a battle plan. Not necessarily the one you guess.
Physical trainer Xavier Moreau – who worked with Amélie Mauresmo and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – reveals the manufacturing secrets. “What’s hardest is keeping his identity,” he says. “Ugo, it's not the style to be someone physical, in the combative sense. He's an artist, he's a pianist, he's creative. He has to be in the game. Behind, the physical qualities will improve that, but in no case do we say to ourselves: 'He had a great week, he ran out of juice at the end so we're going to do some physical work.' It's not at all what's going to happen. It's the opposite. We start from the strong point and I come behind him. He already has a very good physical level. in terms of support. The more I put the engine on it, the more effective it will be. It has a very good shot quality, it has a very good service. In addition, it is left-handed. additional power, it will enhance its identity.”
To hear Xavier Moreau, the 73kg of the French number 1 will not constitute too heavy a handicap at the Slams. Last January, in Melbourne, Ugo Humbert was eliminated in the third round by Hubert Hurkacz, 9th in the world. Thanks to its new status, Messin will no longer be able to cross the path of a Top 10 before the round of 16. It will be an important meeting. And the fact that he is “challenged” by Arthur Fils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard makes him happy. This rivalry prevents you from falling asleep.
