“Ugo Humbert, how do you analyze your match?
I had a lot of chances in the first set, I struggled mentally to get past. I reacted well in the second set, I produced a good level of play, I tried to be a little more aggressive. Against this kind of player, we must avoid letting him play the game, especially with his forehand. I am very happy to have made it out. I tried to put in the effort in the third set. I managed to win mentally. It’s a great victory.
Is this mental victory related to your current confidence or to a particular job?
It is above all my determination. I could see that I was dominating the exchanges and the games but as soon as I could pass in front, I could not pass the cap. At the end of the first one, I was not happy, maybe I went a little too far in the towers (smile). The second set was really not bad, I was very aggressive with a lot of winning shots. There was a bit of a relapse in the third set. Physically, it was a little harder but I held on. I told myself that there was still 15-20 minutes of play and that we had to put in the effort. I tried to focus on the game and not listen to myself. It’s not easy but I did well today (Monday).
You went to the net more. Is it a line of work?
For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to come to the net a little more when I have the chance. I realize that I manage to earn a lot of points. I was not really confident in this sector but for a few weeks now, I have seen that it is working. I try to go when I have the opportunity and I did pretty well in this exercise today (Monday). I try to find the right balance between “going there” and “being solid”.
Coming to the net is not at all natural for you? I have a forward facing game but sometimes felt like a rubber band behind my back, I was having trouble launching and I wasn’t too confident in my volley. I feel that I am progressing. It’s by going there and seeing that I earn a lot of points (eight of fifteen at net against Ruud) that I manage to gain confidence. It is progressing and it is an axis towards which I must go.
How did you feel to play in this empty room?
It’s a little weird because the room is really very, very big. It lacks atmosphere but for me, that does not change anything. I try to do what I have to do. It’s different but I’m already very happy to be able to play this week. I would rather play in front of 15,000 people and have the support of the audience but when you’re on the court, you focus on what you have to do. “
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