Ugo Humbert Prepares for Masters 1000 Paris Bercy Amidst High Stakes
As the Masters 1000 Paris Bercy tournament kicks off on October 28, 2024, French tennis player Ugo Humbert is gearing up for a potential showdown against world number one Carlos Alcaraz. Humbert, currently ranked 16th, acknowledges the challenge posed by his first-round opponent, Brandon Nakashima, stating, "He has progressed well this year with a great serve. We played each other twice. I know he is very dangerous too. I will already focus on this first round, which will not be easy."
Humbert, who reached the quarter-finals of the tournament four years ago, is hopeful for a significant performance at home, buoyed by the support of the crowd. He reminisced about last year's thrilling match against Alexander Zverev, describing it as one of his best experiences on court. "When I scored a point, I saw them standing. At the end, I went so far and it was so incredible that when I got to the locker room, I fainted," he shared.
The 26-year-old aims to capitalize on the indoor atmosphere of the Palais Omnisports, where he feels his skills shine. Humbert expressed his desire to make a mark in this tournament, having previously won the Metz title in 2022. "If there was a tournament I really wanted to win, it was Metz. Now it’s Bercy. It was second on the list. I came here when I was little. I saw the best win. Jo (Tsonga) was my idol when I was young. For me, it’s the best atmosphere of the year."
In a recent video, fellow player Ben Shelton praised Humbert as potentially the best indoor player in the world. Humbert acknowledged his affinity for indoor play, stating, "I learned to play indoors, on carpet. I think I've probably developed qualities that make me play well on this surface."
Looking ahead, Humbert is setting his sights on breaking into the top 10 rankings. After a strong start to 2024, he became the 13th ranked player, his highest position to date. However, he admitted that the pressure to qualify for the Masters took a toll on his performance. "I got a bit burned out trying to chain tournaments too much. I will manage my schedule better next year," he said, emphasizing the importance of mental energy in maintaining peak performance.
Masters 1000 Paris Bercy Broadcast Details
The Masters 1000 Paris Bercy tournament will be broadcast live from October 28 to November 3, 2024. Matches will begin daily at 11 a.m. at the Palais Omnisports, with commentary starting at 10:45 a.m. This year's competition is notable for the absence of defending champion Novak Djokovic, who has withdrawn, allowing Alexandre Müller to enter the qualifying draw.
Key players to watch include Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and world number one Jannik Sinner, who recently triumphed at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai. The tournament will see first-round matches conclude by October 30, with the round of 16 commencing the following day. Quarter-finals are scheduled for November 1, semi-finals on November 2, and the final on November 3 at 3 p.m.
Viewers can catch the action live on Eurosport channels, with comprehensive coverage of the matches and player performances. The excitement builds as Humbert and other top players vie for the prestigious title in Paris.
