2024-01-22 13:26:10
“To come out with a match like that, I take my hat off to him. I didn’t think he could hold his own and he did it admirably. » While Arthur Cazaux has barely left the John Cain Arena after holding off world No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz for two sets in the round of 16 (7-6 (6), 7-6 (3), 6-4), Stéphane Huet displays his satisfaction on Eurosport.
“He ate something that didn’t happen after his 3rd round (against Griekspoor), explains the Frenchman’s coach. He had gastro, he didn’t sleep much, he didn’t train on Sunday and he wasn’t in the best mood…” Under these conditions, the performance of the Habs, who had to call the doctor for stomach aches at the start of the 3rd set, takes on even more relief.
“The day before yesterday, I spent the night in the toilet and it was not a pretty sight,” jokes the Hérault resident on RMC. It was a bit of a war zone in the toilets at the hotel. Sunday I was on medication all day trying to recover as best I could. This morning, things were still better but I had mentally prepared myself to be a little physically challenged and I dealt with it. »
Cazaux especially felt the backlash when attacking the last round. “Already, in the second set, I couldn’t eat or drink, my stomach said no and I felt nauseous,” he explains. I felt like I had less juice but that’s not what made me lose it. Hubert was just better than me. »
Invited to Melbourne thanks to the reciprocal agreement between the FFT and its Australian counterpart, the young Montpellier, 21, burst onto the screen for eight days. “I’m sad because I want more but it was still a great week for me,” he smiles. A week full of firsts. » First victory in a Grand Slam and first victory in five sets (against Djere, n° 33), first victory over a top 10 (Rune, n° 8), first steps in the second week…
“If I want to win a Grand Slam one day, two weeks is a long time for the body and the mind”
“I am very proud of him and his journey,” continues the coach. He improved week after week, it’s a great experience for him. I told him that he had the level to score top 10s. He is one of the very good players. What’s going to be hard now is getting back down to earth. »
In a few days, the one who was more used to skimming ITF tournaments (he only had one success to his credit on the ATP circuit when he arrived in Australia) learned a lot. “It’s a big experience to have found myself in the second week with the stars,” he breathes. If I have one lesson to learn, it’s that if I one day want to win a Grand Slam, two weeks is a long time for the body and the mind! You have to be very strong to be able to give the best of yourself for two weeks in a row. »
“Arthur ate something that didn’t pass”: sick, Cazaux was unfortunately unable to prepare for his match against Hurkacz as he would have liked…
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After (finally) being spared from injuries and having a full season in 2023, the former finalist of the junior tournament, who had not set foot in the Antipodes for four years, reached a new level in every sense of the world. term. Because his southern epic will allow him to enter the top 100 (83rd) and open up new programming perspectives for him with ATP tables opening up and a guaranteed place in the Grand Slams.
Incidentally, the 234,000 euros in prize money will allow him to continue to invest in his structure. “I’m definitely going to review my calendar,” he slips. My next tournament will be in Montpellier (which starts on January 28) because it’s my home, I love my city and I rank it at the top. Then I won’t have any points to defend until the grass season, so that’s good for me. »
Cazaux, however, knows that he will now be closely watched. There will be a before and after Melbourne. “That’s what’s going to be hard,” predicted his coach. He will also have to learn to manage expectations. »
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