Ugo Humbert Voices Disappointment Over Court Allocation at Paris Masters
Ugo Humbert expressed his belief that he “deserved better” treatment after being assigned to play on the smaller Court 1 during the Paris Masters, while two lower-ranked French players were showcased on the prestigious Centre Court.
As the 15th seed in the tournament, Humbert cruised through his second-round match on Wednesday, defeating Marcos Giron with ease, 6-3, 6-2. This victory sets the stage for an exciting third-round clash against world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
However, after his initial match against Brandon Nakashima, which took place on the main stage, Humbert found himself relegated to the less prominent court for his next encounter. In a surprising turn, world No. 20 Arthur Fils and world No. 31 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard were the French representatives selected to compete on Centre Court.
Following his win, the 26-year-old shared his feelings about the situation, admitting to his disappointment. “I was disappointed because I think I deserved better. I’m the No. 1 French player, and I have practiced on Centre Court,” he stated. “This is my favorite tournament. I felt I should have played on the main stage. But I’ve earned the chance to play in the third round.”
Humbert, known for his amiable nature, noted that sometimes his kindness is overlooked. “I’m delighted to have won this match and to have earned the opportunity to play on Centre Court against Alcaraz,” he added.
His upcoming match against Alcaraz is likely to be featured on the main court, and he won’t be the only French player in the mix during the third round. Arthur Fils also advanced by overcoming Jan-Lennard Struff with a score of 6-3, 6-4, showcasing his rising talent.
On the other hand, Mpetshi Perricard was defeated in a hard-fought three-set battle against Karen Khachanov. Nevertheless, his recent successes, including a remarkable win at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, keep him in the spotlight as part of a burgeoning wave of French tennis talent.
Humbert praised the surge of French players making their mark in the ATP Rankings. “It’s amazing. It’s great for French tennis,” he remarked. “Seeing so many French players performing well here is significant for the fans, and it’s all positive.”
With 16 years having passed since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga last lifted the title, there is a renewed hope that a French player will soon break this title drought. Humbert’s aspirations, alongside those of his fellow compatriots, signal an exciting chapter for French tennis.