This is Tennis
This is Ugo Humbert: Rising star and singer
Read more about the Frenchman on and off the court
October 31, 2024
Tessah Andrianjafitrimo
Ugo Humbert likes to play guitar and piano.
Written by Andrew Eichenholz
Editor's Note: This story was originally published on April 12, 2024. At the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters, Frenchman Ugo Humbert thrilled the home crowd with an unforgettable win over Carlos Alcaraz.
The top of the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin is full of the biggest stars of the sport. Of the eight players currently holding the Nitto ATP Finals qualifiers, seven have reached the finals of the season and one, fifth-ranked Alex de Minaur, is in the Top 10 of the world.
In ninth place is Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters quarter-finalist Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman, who is in contention for a place in Turin, has been quietly playing the best tennis of his life and is outpacing even 12th-ranked Novak Djokovic in the Live Race.
“I saw that and it was really funny. At the end of Dubai, my coach said 'It's funny, you're seventh in the race and Djokovic is eighth'. I was proud!” Humbert told ATPtour.com. “For me it's getting more and more exciting because my goal is to reach the Top 10. So I'm trying to get information to achieve this goal.”
So far this season Humbert has won titles in Marseille and Dubai. The lefty's record is 18-5 and he has lost only two games in a row.
His path to success is no secret. Humbert is doing better on both serves and returns than he has averaged throughout his career.
According to Infosys ATP Stats, the French No. 1 has made improvements this year in service games won (87%), boosted by a high rate of break points saved (68%) and second points won (58%). He also won a high percentage of comeback games (21%), helped in part by his inconsistent second comeback success (53%).
The 6'2” lefty has a powerful game. Humbert hits a flat ball and isn't afraid to stand on base to pressure his opponent. His success under coach Jeremy Chardy, once ranked number 25 in the PIF ATP Rankings, has been more about logic than technique. He worked hard to stay calm under pressure.
“Try to stay calm and really be present at this point, every ball,” Humbert said. “I try to repeat the things that I am confident in my choices [with] so that we have more chance to win a point.”
Staying calm while trying to improve has been a part of Humbert's life since he was young, and not just on the tennis court. When the Frenchman was five years old, his parents asked him to start learning the piano.
At the age of 12, when he moved to Paris by train under the French Tennis Federation, Humbert took his piano and played it for an hour a day. Listening to Humbert play the piano today is a joy – passers-by would think he's a musician, not a tennis player.
But for the 25-year-old, one came much easier than the other.
“Tennis for sure because it was my favorite thing. “Piano, I didn't want to play at first, but my parents forced me to play,” Humbert said with a laugh. “So for two or three years, of course I was bad because you can't play anything. And after three or four years, when I did something, some songs, it was a little better.”
Humbert also started learning the guitar at the age of 10, but stopped for more than five years. About two years ago, he started playing it more often and was traveling with Silent Guitar. Fans enjoyed watching the social media where he played the guitar and his girlfriend, WTA player, Tessah Andrianjafitrimo sang.
“He likes to play blues, rock and jazz music. He likes piano, guitar. He loves this kind of music,” said Andrianjafitrimo. “I think he's happy about it. He's very happy, so he's relaxed.”
Humbert added: “For me, it's more fun to play the piano than the guitar because I'm better at the piano, so it's a little easier to handle.” But it's good to play some music, to think about something different, not to be in tennis all the time.”
Humbert's aggressive, front-foot game contrasts with his laid-back personality. The Frenchman explained that although his playing is seen in a certain way, his mind is not much different than when he sits at the piano.
“In tennis, it's fine, I play hard, fast. But inside I try in my mind to be really calm and really cool and focus on what I have to do. The piano for me is exactly the same,” said Humbert. “Even if I play a song like Mozart, Beethoven, it's exactly the same. Mentally I have to calm down and focus on what I have to do.”
Ugo Humbert”>
Photo: ATP Tour/Getty Images
That focus has helped Humbert climb into contention at the Nitto ATP Finals and within striking distance of the world's Top 10.
Former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille is delighted to see the latest rise from his compatriot. The 30-year-old believes Humbert still has room to grow, too.
“In his game, there are no limits. I think he is also mentally limitless,” said Pouille. “Two years ago he was not feeling well. He's back in the rankings, outside of the Top 100. Last year, this time of year [in March]he was playing Challenger in Pau.
“It's always nice to see a French player return to the top. And I think we're used to having that type of players in the Top 10, Top 20, Top 30, Top 100. We had a lot of them and the important thing is that we still have players like these.”
Humbert is at No. 13 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and Pouille explained his feeling that “Top 15 is a start for him”.
“I hope he can do well in the Grand Slams soon. That's where the big points are. That's when he hasn't played as well as he wants,” said Pouille. “But I'm sure it will come soon because of the confidence he has now. I think he is better than before.”
In some ways Humbert's rise has paralleled his growing comfort as a musician. Step by step he continued to work and study. Now, he is one of the best tennis players in the world.
“I think [it takes] the time. He started at a very young age, and started playing in some tournaments. “He's better and better under pressure,” Humbert said. “For me when you work hard, and you feel better and better and ready to go to the tournament, you feel less pressure.”
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