ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2026

Ugo Humbert

Press Conference

Q. HALYS/U. Humbert

6-4, 7-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Very close match. What made the difference in the key moments for you?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, first of all, I didn't play a great match. I had a lot of trouble focusing. It was a fight to focus a little bit, to find some quiet and focus on the game. I had some opportunities in the second set. I served for the set. I had set points, but I couldn't manage to convert them.

There wasn't much for difference. I tried to go to a fourth set, but he managed to play better than I do in the most important moments.

Q. Why was it so difficult to concentrate?

UGO HUMBERT: I think it was really hard. It was the toughest match where I really tried to fight and concentrate. The noise was a real problem for me. I didn't really enjoy the moment. It was really hard to concentrate. I don't know why. But it was tough.

Q. Quentin was very clinical. He served very well. Why is he hard to play? He's quite unforeseeable. What surprised you?

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, we have never played against each other. We never really trained together, either. He served really well. A big first serve.

He was directing his forehand and giving me trouble on my backhand, and I think that, you know, he really played very well, so hats off to him.

Q. With regard to last year, will you leave Roland Garros with a better feeling? Because last year you had to walk over. So are you leaving Roland with a better state of mind?

UGO HUMBERT: Yes, last year I couldn't finish the match. Also, I was worried, because I didn't really know what was wrong with me, but I was lucky.

But, you know, just off the top of the head, it's a little bit difficult to see a positive side to things, but if I look over the past two or three weeks, I think that, you know, my mental has been a bit better.

But I don't think it's a match that I need to spend too much time thinking about. But, you know, I have only just finished the match, and it's very difficult to take a step back.

But I have no choice. I have to go back to training and redefine specific objectives for grass. I have no choice. I have to continue to fight.

Q. To come back briefly to the concentration and the noise, this court is very particular. It's always very noisy. I think it's the most noisy court in Roland. Is this what made the conditions particular?

UGO HUMBERT: Well, I don't really know, but it was very noisy, very slippery, as well, the court, like last year. I don't know if it's because it's hot and it made the court different, but it wasn't easy.

You know, I don't yet have all of the answers, but the court was very noisy, and it was tough.

Q. Each year, apart from last year when you were injured, there are the challengers titles before Monte Carlo, there were good matches in Hamburg last week. Don't you have a bit of a blockage concerning Roland? When you come here, do you feel additional pressure? Where do you stand with regard to that?

UGO HUMBERT: Honestly, I don't really know. I don't really know why I never do very good here. Two or three times I came and I was feeling good, but I think the level of my game was quite good. I had won the challengers. I made the quarterfinals in Monaco.

Last week I played some good matches, super match against Buse, a wonderful clay court player, as well, and Khachanov. Each time I come along filled with confidence, but then it doesn't go my way, so I need to find solutions, and next year maybe change a few things as I approach the match.

But, for example, Metz also I have always done badly. I have always played in the first and second round, and then all of a sudden I managed to win the tournament. Just now it's quite difficult to see any solutions, but I have no choice.

This is part of my state of mind, my mentality. I can't afford to feel sorry for myself. My mental is to really find some solutions here.