ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 1, 2023

Ugo Humbert

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/U. Humbert

6-4, 6-7, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. You were saying at the beginning of the week that you had several tournaments with matches that were close and you're waiting for them to turn in your favor. But today was not the case. What did you miss in the 4-2 in the tiebreak?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I was very close, and I have to wait a little bit, to be patient. I think that in the process I have to continue with the same state of mind and the same attitude. One day it will be in my favor.

I was very close. It was a fabulous match. I had an incredible moment on the court. I'm just sad of not being able to give the victory to all my supporters. They pushed me all the way to the end, and it's the small regret I have.

Q. In your opinion, what was the key moment when you debrief?

UGO HUMBERT: Physically, I was already really tired after one hour and a half. When I came off the court at the end, I had a dizzy spell. I went all the way to the effort I could make. I gave the best I could and it was very close.

And congratulations to him.

Q. What did you have when you came off the court?

UGO HUMBERT: After, when I came off the court, I was breathless. My eyes were starting to shut. And I said, Okay, Jeremy, I have to lie down, please put my legs up. Otherwise I will faint.

So I had to drink a Coke and lie down for 10 minutes. It sometimes happen, it's like a decompression. It was like a trance also during the match.

I gave everything. I gave every effort. I think it was normal.

Q. I wanted to know with respect to your 11 breakpoints that you missed, how did you feel before finally breaking his serve?

UGO HUMBERT: I don't know what to answer. Yes, I had opportunities. Maybe sometimes I lacked aggressiveness. He served well. There were a few balls I didn't play so well. I didn't have enough intention or aggressiveness. That's what I lacked.

But when I broke back at 5-4 in the second, I entered a sort of bubble and I was feeling super well, and Jeremy was giving me a lot of strength. Then I was able to stay calm until the end and play one point after the other.

Yes, I felt much more at ease after I'd broken back, so I needed to break back to feel better.

Q. Of course you must be disappointed, but you don't feel so affected morally. Is it because you had a lot of pleasure on the court and the fact you played an excellent match?

UGO HUMBERT: Of course it was an excellent match. I would have preferred winning. It's the only regret. As I said, I was not able to offer the victory to my fans. That's what I'm most disappointed about.

Regarding how I played, I made more positives than negatives. I just have to continue in that direction. Over the last year I have been working very hard every day, so I have no regrets.

Just I have to continue and one day I will win these type of matches. I feel that I have the level to win these kinds of events.

Q. You were saying that you had still energy for this tournament and your tournament next week. You didn't know that you were going to play three hours and a half tonight. Do you have enough gas for next week?

UGO HUMBERT: It's easier when you're playing at home. It's the only thing that is missing, is not having won a title. It will be my last challenge. I will give it my all to try and succeed.

Q. Regarding the game level, we were all impressed by Zverev's level but also by yours and the quality of the game we saw tonight. Do you feel it's bringing you closer to these types of players, top 15, top 10?

UGO HUMBERT: I'm not so far. I will be at my best ranking next week. What is positive is to be able to play these players on a regular basis over the last two weeks. So I'm getting used to the intensity, to the game level, to what I have to produce on the court, to beat these types of players.

So I'm getting closer to them. It's not so long that I have been playing that level, that I have put so much investment and commitment to those matches. So if I continue, one day or another, I will succeed.

Q. Daniil Medvedev made a gesture to the audience after his match. Can you understand that you can hate the crowd?

UGO HUMBERT: No, I cannot imagine, because they supported me and pushed me until the end. I was one set down 4-5 and I said it can't end like that. I felt that they would be able to change the outcome of the match, so I played on that. I used them, and it's one of the best atmospheres I've ever lived. So it was fantastic.

Q. What did Alexander tell you at the end of the match? Because just before shaking your hand, he has a lot of respect for you and what you produced tonight, and he told you something in particular or nothing?

UGO HUMBERT: I was totally out of mind. I think I told him congratulations. You played a fantastic match. It was a great fight.

And I really don't remember. I was already away (smiling).

Q. (Question off microphone.)

UGO HUMBERT: I didn't have the impression it was for me. Well, honestly I was no longer lucid. I don't remember what happened.

Also, last thing, you asked me at the beginning of the week who I wanted as a captain for Davis Cup, and I said I would first like to talk to the president, and my support is for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I would like to have him on the bench, and it's someone for whom I'd like to fight for.

Q. Why?

UGO HUMBERT: Because of what he has experienced in Davis Cup. He has great experience. He can bring a lot to the new generation and also those who are coming. I'm in the middle. According to what I have read, he wants to use the most experienced players to help us.

So it's someone with whom I have a good feeling, and on the bench he will be able to give me the right energy to win matches, because Davis Cup matches are very specific. We'll see what happens, but I wanted to tell you that.

Q. We are coming out of captainship with conflicts of interest. Are you afraid of conflicts of interest with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga?

UGO HUMBERT: No, I'm thinking about the sports aspect. I loved having Seb on the bench. I told him I was disappointed that he decided to stop, but I focus just on the sports aspect, and that's what I wanted to tell you.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

UGO HUMBERT: No, Jeremy didn't dare. He does a lot of things. He didn't talk to me about applying for that position (smiling).