He arrived at a press conference still smiling from ear to ear. Twenty minutes after achieving the greatest feat of his career: defeating Carlos Alcaraz, world number 2, in the den of Bercy, in the round of 16 of the Rolex Paris Masters. And it was with the same smile that Ugo Humbert returned to the little secrets of his evening victory.
Is this simply the greatest victory of your career?
UGO HUMBERT. It’s the best victory of my career. Like I said on the court, it’s the best moment I’ve had on a court. I train for this all year round. That’s what I told myself throughout the 3rd set. All these moments of work in training. I remembered my defeat last year against Zverev. I didn’t want to relive that. I’m super proud of myself.
You had already faced him several times and already hooked, particularly at Wimbledon. Was this useful to you?
Jérémy Chardy told me: above all, don’t do like in the Davis Cup by wanting to overplay. But everything fit (laughs). I was walking on water. I was super aggressive. In the 2nd set, I had a little setback. I fought throughout the 3rd set to make it happen. I was talking to myself. I didn’t stop. I told myself that I was there, that I was on the ground, that it wasn’t over. It worked. It was the right solution.
Did playing on a fast indoor surface help you?
I knew that my game works very well on this surface as well as on grass. I know I can annoy the very best in the world. In the Davis Cup I had not seen the light of day. He had made the perfect match. I couldn’t do anything. There, it was different because I had the support of the public. I want to thank them for everything. It was a fabulous moment.
Carlos Alcaraz said that you are playing better and better against him. Is this the case?
It’s my game (laughs). I play very, very well on these surfaces. I have two strikes that go fast. He’s not the only one who feels this way. I love playing the best in the world. And what’s more, it’s my favorite Bercy tournament. These are matches that I love to play.
Did you have in mind the results of the other French people of the day with this desire to avenge them?
Honestly, no. Everything I do, I do it for me. I’m fully into my tournament in every match. I didn’t look at the results of the other French people at all. I just knew Arthur (Son) had lost, because it was the match right before me. I have no revenge to give. I’m making my way.
In the quarter-finals, you will challenge Jordan Thompson. How far do you want to go?
I don’t know. That’s what’s beautiful. I don’t want to make predictions. I try to live the moment to the fullest. When I play like that, anything is possible. We’ll see. I don’t want to answer. I will prepare for my match as usual. I’m just trying to do things right. He plays very well, he’s a great player. He already beat me this year. I’m going to try to get a good night’s sleep!
