Rolex Paris Masters I Arthur Son, athletic monster: “The physical dimension of a boy like Carlos Alcaraz”

The phenomenon had not gone completely unnoticed. Last year, seven of the eight participants in the Next Gen Masters were subjected to a battery of physical tests. On the menu, there was a 10-meter sprint, a standing vertical jump, a change of direction exercise based on reaction time, and another movement with targets to hit on the ground. The qualities required were different in each workshop. But the same man had dominated them all: Arthur Fils, facing Alexander Zverev this Thursday in the round of 16 of the Rolex Paris Masters.

The Frenchman did not fail to celebrate each of his performances. However, he was not surprised to master the competition in the physical domain. “The guys did well, but I was betterhe commented. It’s good because we have goals. I had to pass 50 cm on the vault and I did it, so I’m happy. It was very pleasant. I do these exercises alone and with my trainer, but here is my first time doing the vertical jump. I’m happy to do it and it’s good to challenge myself with others. I hate losing. If I can push a little more, I will.”

Son was only 19 years old at the time but this battery of tests already said enough about the young French hope. Whether it was her state of mind regarding physical work, or the margin she could give her over the competition from her generation present at this Next Gen Masters. “He was still with all the big names of today, and I have the impression that there is not a guy who came close to him physically.underlines Georges Goven, former captain of the French Davis Cup team and consultant for Eurosport. They still have the qualities required to go as high as possible.”

Son is well aware that this is perhaps his best asset. When he began to be talked about, the native of Bondoufle did not highlight his serve, his forehand or his backhand as his main quality. Its strong points? “My explosiveness and my physical conditionhe replied in February 2023. The way I perform helps me sometimes, because the audience really likes to support me in physical fights. It’s something that’s part of my personality and allows me to bring energy. It’s not important for my game, but it’s important for me.”

Important for his opponents, too. The athletic dimension that Son can rely on at only 20 years old already gives him a lot of virtues on a course. His movement speed allows him to cover more ground on the court, and faster. The Frenchman has the ability to wear down his opponent both physically and mentally. This was felt in his big victories this year, notably his finals in Hamburg against Alexander Zverev (6-3, 3-6, 7-6) and in Tokyo against Ugo Humbert (5-7, 7-6, 6- 3), after two fights where the difference was also made physically.

But the virtues are multiple. Confident of his athletic qualities, Son is also progressing mentally, aware that concentration is the best way to make the most of this margin that he has been able to give himself on a physical level. The fact that he is the 4th player to post the best percentage of tie-breaks won this year (71.4%) goes in this direction. He’s also improving in some aspects of his game.”I find that it now serves very well, I saw peaks at 215, 217 km/htestifies Georges Goven. He has progressed. Before it curled up a little on its first, now it stretches up nicely.”

At this stage of his young career, he is already physically at the level of the strongest. “The physical dimension of him is even more important, believes Laurent Raymond, his former coach. It is certainly of the caliber of the best, of a boy like Carlos Alcaraz. It’s important because the evolution of the game happens through it. The players hit harder and harder. He is one of those players, he is very impactful on both the forehand and the backhand. And also physically impactful, with very large ground coverage. On defense, he has improved considerably. These are excellent signals for the future.”

Because this is only the beginning. Son already has impressive athleticism, but he is still far from having developed all his physical potential given his age. And the 20th player in the world is sparing no effort to improve in this area. “We were chatting after one of his victories and on his rest day, he trained with his physical trainersaid Nicolas Mahut, consultant for Eurosport, after the Frenchman’s victory in Tokyo. IHe is in a logic of progression, he continues to learn.“That may be the most terrifying thing.