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Despite his disappointment, Ugo Humbert took a moment to congratulate his friend Arthur Fils for his remarkable victory in the Tokyo tournament final. Humbert, who lost in three sets (5-7, 7-6 [6], 6-3), praised his compatriot for displaying an exceptional level of tennis throughout the week, as he shared with our colleagues from L’Équipe.
A Close Encounter: Reflecting on the Final
Humbert reflected on the key moments that eluded him in the match: “It came down to just one point… It’s a bit hard to process right now. It stings; it’s not easy. I had my chances. There was a pivotal moment at 4-3, 0-40, where I had three break points to serve for the match. And then there was the match point. Naturally, I feel a bit frustrated. But we must give credit to Arthur. Throughout the week, he played tennis at an extraordinary level, producing phenomenal matches and handling critical moments with poise. His attitude was fantastic, so hats off to him.”
The Battle Within: Observations on Arthur’s Performance
Humbert continued to delve into his observations of Fils throughout the match: “He faced some tough matches. Physically, he didn’t seem at his best compared to earlier rounds. In the third set, I sensed he found a second wind and was a bit more charged. He managed to maintain his momentum, something I struggled to do. He outplayed me towards the end; that’s just tennis for you, often unforgiving. I hope to shake this off quickly and focus on the next tournament,” Humbert acknowledged.
Friendship and Rivalry: The Spirits of French Tennis
Discussing the emotional dynamics of playing against a friend, Humbert explained: “Honestly, I’ve kept this mindset all week. I arrived in Tokyo after a rather lackluster American tour and wasn’t in the best mindset. I was feeling drained, not much energy left, and just worn out from traveling. When I got here, I adopted a carefree attitude. I thought, ‘If I go out in the first round, it’s not the end of the world.’ This week was about being quiet on the court. I focused on giving my all in every point and just playing. I was thrilled to find my rhythm again and make it to the final.”
Looking Ahead: The Journey Continues for Both Players
Humbert emphasized the bond he shares with Fils as they both forge their paths in French tennis: “Absolutely. Honestly, it’s fantastic for French tennis. That’s exactly what we both said at the end: we are thrilled to be here together, at this level. We will genuinely push each other to achieve even more. The spirit between us is incredibly healthy, and we have a lot to learn from one another. It’s an exciting journey ahead with many more battles to come. He’s made tremendous strides in the past few weeks. Since the Davis Cup, I’ve noticed a significant shift in him, particularly in his mentality. He’s become much more humble and consistently positive on the court. He never gives anything away. I knew today would be a mental battle.” Humbert concluded enthusiastically: “I leave tomorrow (Wednesday), and we’re set to play again starting Friday. It’s a non-stop cycle. It’s crazy how relentless tennis can be! Each week, you’re on the go with your suitcase in tow. It’s tiring. After winning in Dubai (in March), I barely had time to celebrate. Now, Arthur will be back on court in just three days. It’s mind-boggling,” he admitted, genuinely thrilled for his compatriot Arthur Fils on his well-deserved victory after a fierce contest.
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