Before facing Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16, world No. 16 Humbert prepares to compete against Nakashima, acknowledging his opponent’s improved serve and danger on the court. Humbert reflects on his past experiences in high-stakes matches, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of indoor tournaments like Bercy. With aspirations to break into the top 10 rankings, he aims to balance his tournament schedule better while fostering a competitive environment with fellow French player Arthur.
As Ugo Humbert gears up for a crucial first-round match against Brandon Nakashima, all eyes are on the potential showdown with Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16. Humbert, currently ranked 16th in the world, acknowledges the challenge ahead: “He’s made significant strides this year, particularly with his powerful serve. We’ve faced off twice before, and I know he can be a threat. Right now, my focus is solely on this opening match, which is going to be tough.” Energized by the home crowd, the 26-year-old is hoping to achieve a significant victory in front of local fans, recalling his quarter-final run four years ago and last year’s close match against Alexander Zverev.
Reflecting on his aspirations, Humbert shared, “If there was one tournament I really wanted to win, it was Metz, my hometown. Now that I’ve conquered Metz (in 2022), my sights are on Bercy, which was next on my list. I grew up coming here and watching the greats play. Jo (Tsonga) was my childhood idol, and for me, this tournament has the best atmosphere of the year. Playing indoors adds another layer. Last year against Zverev was one of my best experiences on the court; the energy was electric. Every good point had fans on their feet, and the adrenaline was so high that I felt lightheaded afterward.”
In a recent UTS video, fellow player Ben Shelton dubbed Humbert the best indoor player in the world. Humbert responded with a smile, “I hadn’t heard that before! I’ve always trained on indoor surfaces, especially carpet, which helped me refine my skills. I have a couple of quick shots with my left-handed serve, and I excel in these conditions. When you’re aggressive on these surfaces, everything speeds up. The ball really flies when you push the pace. That said, I haven’t yet clinched a title in this kind of setting.”
As he aims for breakthrough performances in major tournaments, Humbert is determined to establish a routine that boosts his consistency. After nearly breaking into the top 10 in 2024, he described his ambition as an “obsession” that intensified after winning the ATP 500 in Dubai, which followed a victory in Marseille that propelled him to his career-high ranking of 13th. “With a strong start to the season, I aimed for the top 10 and a spot in the Masters. But fixating on that goal drained my energy, and I had to learn to relax and not push myself too hard,” he explained. “Next year, I’ll manage my schedule better. I found myself overwhelmed by trying to maintain momentum after a few good weeks, and it backfired. It’s essential to conserve mental energy, particularly late in the tournaments.”
Though Humbert still has his sights set on the top 10, he is equally focused on solidifying his position as France’s number one player as the season closes. “There’s a strong dynamic among us. It’s fantastic to have Arthur around; we motivate each other, which is something I missed when I first came in at 25th, feeling somewhat isolated. Recently, we trained together in Basel, and there was a shared drive to succeed. We pushed each other hard!”