The long-awaited miracle did not take place. Ugo Humbert suffered, on Sunday January 19, the law of the world number 3, Alexander Zverev, who eliminated him in four sets 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. The French number 1, 14th in the world, reached the round of 16 for the first time at the Australian Open, the third time in a Grand Slam after Wimbledon in 2019 and 2024. A result which confirms the Frenchman's good progress for over of a year, and which notably allowed him to reach his first Masters 1000 final, at the Rolex Paris Masters this fall, where he lost against the German.
But what is 26-year-old Ugo Humbert missing to reach the next level? For several months, the Habs have reached a mental and physical milestone, in particular thanks to the work undertaken since 2022 with their coach Jérémy Chardy, which allowed them to reach their best career ranking. “The year [2024] was very positive. 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.” his coach told us during the Rolex Paris Masters last October.
“We have seen his attacking qualities for a long time, but he has also progressed in defense, in his resistance and his speed, and he feels that he can still progress in this area compared to others,” confirms Arnaud Clément, consultant for franceinfo: sport. So many elements which have certainly allowed him to climb the ATP rankings, but not yet to validate second weeks in the Grand Slam.
With “a solid performance in Melbourne” even if insufficient to qualify for the quarter, Ugo Humbert is very close to the last step, according to Arnaud Clément. “Today he played a very fit Alexander Zverev, who is a serious title contender, et who was, as is not often the case, very solid in the first week of the Grand Slam in all his matches. What Ugo Humbert lacks to get through the round of 16 is perhaps not to play Zverev in the round of 16.” points to the old Top 10.
-Grabbing a few more places in the ATP rankings, and therefore obtaining a higher seed, could allow him to protect himself a little better from the top 5 up to and including the round of 16. Another room for improvement: being able to seize opportunities when they present themselves, which he failed to do on Sunday and which he largely admitted in the post-match press conference.
“At the start of the third set, I missed some chances. I felt like I was starting to gain the upper hand a little, but I didn't press at the right time. That's the regret I have. I'm going to try to understand why [j’ai perdu]and I'm going to work. I am capable of progressing further.”
“To get a place in quarter or semi, and break this glass ceiling in Grand Slam, you have to be there when the opportunity presents itself, that is to say when the table is a little open , or when a seed will not be in good shape. There, he will have to respond”, believes Arnaud Clément who sees him capable of reaching the top 10 this year. Before the best Frenchman at the ATP enters the box “title contender”.
