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Finishing point for Ugo Humbert. Rather a long via crucis. The Frenchman’s first Masters 1000 final turned to disillusionment, with Alexander Zverev playing the role of dream breaker. The crowd at the Accor Hotel Arena, who were hoping for a grand finale for the last match organized in Bercy, before the tournament moves to the brand new setting of the La Défense Arena in Nanterre in 2025, had to settle for a demonstration of the future world number 2, finalist at Roland Garros in 2024: 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour.
The 26-year-old Messin, 18th in the world, certainly a little shy for the challenge, was immediately overtaken by the German giant. Too approximate, he was unable to falter his opponent of the day, who was impeccable in his throws. “Physically I was flushed. I had trouble recovering (from half time).”the Frenchman whispered at the edge of the field. We will have to wait at least another year to see a tricolor succeed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the last winner of a Masters 1000. It was 2014, in Toronto. Already ten years ago.
Ugo Humbert has everything to do it. For him we already need to remember the rest. First of all, these seven very beautiful days in Bercy, where the left-handed player showed off his best tennis. The one that allowed him to defeat world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. So, to compete with anyone on the circuit.
Humbert has gained enormously in explosiveness
The good news is that this season he has managed to rise regularly, unlike in the past, in which the left-handed player got used to some rare exploits, before falling back just as sharply. He who rose early to the threshold of the top 30, in 2020 when he was 22 years old, gave the impression of stagnating for a long time, without ever managing to get up again. The success in March in Dubai (ATP 500) against Alexander Bublik seems to have acted as a trigger.
With Jérémy Chardy and Thierry Ascione, his coaching duo, he has developed his offensive palette, especially his forehand, much more powerful and reliable than before. Humbert also gained enormously in terms of explosiveness. Just look at his footwork: he moves faster, and therefore can throw better without losing too much ground, and shows off his qualities as a blocker. A defensive base that allows him, unlike his professional debut, to better diversify his shots, without necessarily trying to conclude the point too early. On Monday he will be 14th in the world, one place away from his best finish in the spring. The appointment is set for 2025.
Interview: Ugo Humbert’s Masters 1000 Experience
Editor (Time.news): Welcome, everyone, to another edition of Time.news interviews! Today, we’re diving deep into the recent Masters 1000 final, where Ugo Humbert faced off against Alexander Zverev. Joining me is tennis expert, Dr. Clara Mendez, a sports psychologist with particular expertise in player performance under pressure. Clara, thanks for being here!
Dr. Clara Mendez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such a significant event in Ugo Humbert’s career.
Editor: Let’s get right into it. Ugo’s defeat to Zverev was quite decisive—6-2, 6-2. From a psychological standpoint, what do you think impacted Humbert in this match?
Dr. Mendez: Absolutely, it was a tough match for Humbert. I believe he appeared overwhelmed by the occasion. Playing in front of a home crowd, especially in his first Masters 1000 final, can create immense pressure. Unfortunately, the excitement may have turned into anxiety, inhibiting his performance.
Editor: You mentioned the home crowd. Do you think that heightened expectations contributed to his inability to perform at his best?
Dr. Mendez: Definitely. While home support can be uplifting, it can also feel like a double-edged sword. The crowd was likely expecting a thrilling finale, which can put a young player like Humbert in a tricky spot. Instead of drawing energy from the fans, he may have felt their hopes weighing on him.
Editor: It’s interesting you say that. He remarked on feeling “flushed” and having trouble physically recovering during the match. Is fitness also a mental game?
Dr. Mendez: Yes, fitness and mental resilience go hand in hand in tennis. Physical fatigue can heavily influence mental sharpness. If a player is not feeling physically up to par, it can lead to doubts creeping in. In Humbert’s case, he may have started to feel that his chances were slipping away early in the match, leading to further fatigue.
Editor: You’ve worked with athletes under pressure before. What would be your advice to Ugo Humbert as he looks to bounce back from this loss?
Dr. Mendez: I would suggest he take some time to reflect on this experience. It’s vital for him to recognize what went wrong, but also to build on the positives—he reached a Masters 1000 final, which is an achievement in itself. Setting smaller, attainable goals moving forward can help build his confidence and focus on improving specific areas of his game.
Editor: That makes a lot of sense. And with Humbert being part of a generation that includes other rising French players, how can he leverage this experience to grow?
Dr. Mendez: Surrounding himself with a strong support network of fellow players, coaches, and sports psychologists can really help him. The camaraderie of his peers can be motivating and insightful. They can share their own experiences of setbacks, which could normalize his feelings and empower him to keep pushing forward.
Editor: Ugo Humbert has a promising future ahead of him. Looking back at tennis history, there have been plenty of players who experienced early disappointments but eventually found success.
Dr. Mendez: Exactly! Tennis is as much about resilience as it is about skill. The path is rarely linear, and learning from moments like this can turn setbacks into setups for future success. I have no doubt Humbert will come back stronger.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Mendez, for sharing your insights. It’s always fascinating to examine the mental aspects of sports. We look forward to seeing how Ugo Humbert develops from this experience!
Dr. Mendez: Thank you! It was a pleasure to discuss this with you. Here’s to Ugo’s bright future!
Editor: And to our audience, thank you for joining us today! Stay tuned for more insights on sports and beyond.
