ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2025

Ugo Humbert

Press Conference

U. HUMBERT/C. O'Connell

7-5, 6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: (In French.) Well done, Ugo. What was the key to this match?

UGO HUMBERT: I'm very happy, first of all, to have the opportunity to play a normal match. I was able to play with my backhand practically 100%, so in itself that alone was a big pleasure.

Not everything was perfect, but I played very well in the important moments. And I won in three sets, so I'm really happy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. A great win, great atmosphere, great sensations. It's good for your morale, also, after this clay period which was difficult to play.

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, it's been a very difficult period for me. Very complicated. So yes, it does my mental health a great deal of well that I can play normally.

That's really the case, because after Rome it was still complicated, and it was difficult for me to see things positively. There is a lot of evolution in my game. When I got back to training this week after 10, 15 minutes, nothing hurt anymore.

I was really happy that, you know, I could come back to my backhands normally, and, you know, get the ball going along the line. So this win really makes me happy.

Q. Did you feel 100% on your backhand, or is it still difficult? Sometimes you were waving around your right hand after some of your backhands. What level are you at from 1 to 10?

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, well that's been the case this week. When I start playing, at the beginning, the pain is a 6, 7 out of 10, so it hurts and it bothers me. After 10, 15 minutes the pain goes down. After 45 minutes I feel practically no pain at all.

But I really need to get back into really get leaning into my backhand, because I have a good backhand. I played for one month with a backhand where I was just trying to push the ball. I have to really get used to that, and, you know, there is obviously a bit of apprehension in my mind.

Yeah, things are coming back gradually, and I'm very happy.

Q. With Giovanni, Arthur, you're the three seeds that have gone through the first round with flying colors. Does this encourage you to go further? There is some competition between you three, also?

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, that's what I have already said lots of times. It's fantastic to have three seeds, three in the top 30. I think it's great for French tennis, and it also motivates us to do even better and go even further. The emulation is very positive.

As I often say, I think we are a very good team also to go very far in the Davis Cup and to try to win it. I think we have great potential.

Q. You saw that there was Ousmane in the stands. Did you speak to him? Did you enjoy seeing him? You mentioned him at the draw, so...

UGO HUMBERT: No, I didn't know. When I saw that he was there and I was shown his interview where he said I was one of the players that he liked, it really touched me, because I was really happy and I love that player.

It's my favorite football player, and I love his personality and the way he plays. He's playing an incredible season. It's a world of dreams.

At the beginning, I didn't even realize, but when somebody shouted "Ousmane, from the Champions League," I thought he must be there. He stayed for the whole match and I got to meet him and get a jersey. He gave me a jersey. I left it in my locker and locked the door.

I was really happy to meet him and that he was there. I was very happy, yeah. I'm sure that it's giving me good luck. For the final on Saturday, I will be in front of the TV with the jersey.

Q. What do you think about Jacob, your next player?

UGO HUMBERT: I didn't look at the draw. As I was playing before him, and yeah, I had a look, and I said, Yeah, he's playing very well on clay court.

His game is great. He has a great forehand and a great service. He really played well in the important moments, and he's a great player. He's progressed very fast. I don't think he's been around that long on the circuit. A very good player. I think it's not going to be an easy match.

It's going to be great with the atmosphere, and I'm going to try and make the most of it.