ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 8, 2024

Ugo Humbert

Press Conference

U. HUMBERT/F. Coria

4-6, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Can you tell us how you experienced that match? There were sort of three different moments. Tell us how you felt.

UGO HUMBERT: I'm first very happy, having a first victory on clay against a specialist who played a lot of matches in South America. So for me it's a good win.

Well, I started off well. 3-2, it took us at least 35 minutes. It was tight. But after breaking, I was feeling a bit lost on the court and I started playing high balls instead of hitting harder, trying to hit to the line. So Jeremy coached me very well at that moment, and I was able to correct my game.

I was feeling physically very well. The last two sets were very solid.

Q. It's a surface that leads you to think a lot about your game?

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, I was feeling I was playing too high and I was not mixing it up enough, changing the rhythm, and as soon as I corrected that, my game took another dimension.

When the ball comes a bit shorter, I tried to move forward. I was able to find new zones and protect myself, and it went a lot better then.

Q. It seems that physically you were stronger than he was, although he is in his full season right now and known to be very fit.

UGO HUMBERT: I had a very good preparation week in Biarritz. We worked physically very hard with Xavier Moreau and Lapo. I felt very good physically today. I knew that on some points it was tougher, but I was able to recoup quite quickly.

Q. Is he going to stay all year round with you?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I think it's interesting to have him around. With Jeremy, we decided someone should be with me to make a more precise work, so Xavier, we decided to work also during the tournaments together. I know this is something I have to work on if I want to be stronger.

Q. You said Jeremy coached you very well during the match. Do you prefer the rule as it is now as opposed to before where it was forbidden?

UGO HUMBERT: I think it's good as it is now. Before, everybody was doing it, but we had to hide and we couldn't hear what the coach was saying.

Now it's a lot better, because the coach can give you information that is very useful. I love the way Jeremy coaches me. I listen to him, and as soon as he gives me any info, I am able to materialize it on the court and it helps me a lot.

Q. We didn't even talk about your game on clay.

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I was able to change my state of mind since last year. The way I finished in Miami, I was happy to go to clay. For me this tournament is a real challenge.

It's not my favorite surface. It makes me think a lot more about my game, which will help me improve on other surfaces, so I really need to focus on each hit, and this is how I can play better.

Q. You are playing often doubles in tournaments this year. Is it a deliberate choice? Why did you decide that?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I love playing doubles with someone I like. Otherwise I don't play. I like to have a good time with the guy.

Also, there is the Olympics coming up, and I said to Paul-Henri I would like to play the doubles. If I only play now once in a while I'm afraid I'm a bit lost, so when I play more matches in doubles I feel a lot better. Fabrice likes it because it allows him to be part of the tournaments too.

Q. Who are you going to play the doubles with in the Olympics?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I don't really know who it's going to be, because I don't know who will be selected. I don't know how it works, so I don't know who I can play with.