Match Response
Alcaraz on Humbert stunner: ‘I gave all the pieces’
Spaniard will subsequent compete at Nitto ATP Finals in Turin
October 31, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz in motion in opposition to Ugo Humbert on Thursday night on the Rolex Paris Masters.
By ATP Employees
A four-time champion at Spanish ATP Tour occasions, Carlos Alcaraz is aware of all about elevating his degree for a house crowd. On Thursday on the Rolex Paris Masters, the No. 2 within the PIF ATP Rankings recognised he might have been on the receiving finish of that pattern from Ugo Humbert.
“I feel I might play higher. I feel that is apparent. However with the extent that I had right this moment, I feel I compete, I gave all the pieces,” Alcaraz mentioned in his post-match press convention after his three-set defeat to the impressed Frenchman in Paris. “I fought till the final level. I’ve to congratulate Ugo. I feel his efficiency has been actually excessive. The way in which he hits the ball is unbelievable. It is wonderful.
“I feel each time that he performs in opposition to me, I really feel like he will increase his degree. He performs a very excessive degree of tennis. I feel in Paris much more so. So congratulations to him, and good luck.”
Alcaraz acknowledged that, though he usually doesn’t favour quick circumstances like these at Paris-Bercy this yr, they don’t imply a lot with out an opponent who can exploit them. Humbert produced a efficiency full of clear, flat hitting that had the World No. 2 struggling from the primary sport.
“[It is difficult] once I play in opposition to somebody like Ugo that does not allow you to get rhythm into the match,” mentioned Alcaraz, who will subsequent compete on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. “He performs most likely each time at his 100 per cent, actually flat. So I could not play tennis.
“I practised [indoors] at residence, nevertheless it is not the identical courtroom, or the pace [of] courtroom… So I wasn’t stunned about my degree, about my sport, however I used to be stunned about all the pieces somewhat bit.”
Whereas the on-court battle within the third Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly between Alcaraz and Humbert was exhilarating, the courtside motion in the course of the pair’s Thursday night encounter additionally didn’t disappoint. A packed enviornment generated a raucous environment from the opening sport to the final and, though Alcaraz naturally didn’t obtain the majority of the assist when taking part in in opposition to a house favorite, he was stuffed with reward for the French crowd.
“I’ve had lots of success right here in Paris, so I assume lots of [fans] assist me somewhat bit… [I was] taking part in in opposition to a French participant, probably the greatest French gamers that France has proper now, and [the fans] have been nice,” mirrored Alcaraz. “I had actually nice factors the place they have been cheering on me somewhat bit. They [stood] up, clap my factors. So I respect it, truthfully, and the gang was actually respectful. It was a very good match.”
