ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 12, 2021

Ugo Humbert

Press Conference

J. MILLMAN/U. Humbert

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. It seems you played in the same conditions as the French Open against an Australian. Did you think these conditions are not good for you? You would have preferred a faster surface?

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, it's strange because I thought about that in the beginning of the match. The same conditions as the French Open. The conditions were very heavy and slow. This is not too good for me. It's to his advantage.

For me, it was not very good.

Q. How is your preparation on clay going? Is it good? Where do you stand on clay right now?

UGO HUMBERT: I started playing on clay a week ago. I practiced well. Today I played a bad match. I believe we should forget about this match. I was not a good player today. Not much to say. I just need to get back to work.

Q. Entering this clay court season, what is your state of mind? Do you think you can play well and things can go well after all?

UGO HUMBERT: I'm happy to play on clay again. Last year I played good matches. I know I can play well on this surface. I'm really happy to play on clay again. This is different from previous years where I was having some doubts, but now I'm happy.

Q. You were saying this match needs to be forgotten. What didn't you do well? It's the first match you had on clay this year.

UGO HUMBERT: There were two moments, one in the first set where I lost 10 points in a row, and in the second 14 points in a row. I can't afford to do that. It's not possible to not be there for three games in a row.

I was lost. I lost my identity, which is to hit hard, to try for winners, to produce a good game. There I didn't do anything, so I was a bad player today.

I just need to get back to work starting tomorrow. I need to work. It was really not a good match.

Q. I believe you heard what Benoit said of late. Do you believe, as he says, many players, and you maybe, have the same state of mind as he has: there's no enjoyment playing in these conditions? I don't know if you agree with what he said.

UGO HUMBERT: I don't want to start this kind of discussion. I said already since we started the tour again that we were very lucky to be able to play again, to earn some money, to play tournaments. I'm not in the same state of mind. I'm happy to be on the court. I'm happy to be on the tour.

Maybe not everybody thinks that, but everybody is free to think whatever they want.

Q. What is your schedule now? Are you going to play every week or do you have some rest before the Masters 1000?

UGO HUMBERT: Next week I'll be practicing, then I go to Estoril, then Rome, then Madrid, then Lyon for sure, and after that the French Open.

Q. The fact that the French Open was delayed by one week, is it a good opportunity to practice more and work on your game?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I have no choice anyway. I have nothing to say about that. I will adapt and practice a bit more. It doesn't bother me.