Luca Van Assche, an intellect & mathematician
Luca Van Assche is carving a unique path on and off the court, balancing the rigours of professional tennis alongside the challenges of studying university-level mathematics. And the 20-year-old Frenchman is excelling at both.
While some players may opt for rest during brief moments of free time, Van Assche elects to tackle his studies at Paris Dauphine University. It is not uncommon for his online classes to be sandwiched in between Van Assche’s training sessions, as showcased in our new ‘Journey To Jeddah’ video series.
“Even if I win 50 grand slams, I will not play when I’m 60, so that’s why I continued. I’m also enjoying it,” Van Assche said. “It’s difficult to do both. For the moment, I’m sorting it well.”
The #NextGenATP star is building a career that is about more than just rankings and trophies — it is a journey to sharpen not only his on-court performance, but also his off-court abilities.
“This is a young man who is very much an intellect,” said analyst Robbie Koenig. “The fact that he studies university-level maths. If your brain is wired that way, it’s only going to help you in your tennis to solve problems. Between the ears, he’s more qualified than most.”
One equation that Van Assche may relish is the amount of former competitors at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF who are currently in the Top 20. A semi-finalist last year in Jeddah, the World No. 128 in the PIF ATP Rankings will aim to follow in those footsteps.
In fact, Van Assche, countryman Arthur Fils and American Alex Michelsen are aiming for a second consecutive trip to the 20-and-under event, a feat that has only been accomplished by six players, four of whom are currently in the Top 20: Andrey Rublev, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti and Frances Tiafoe.
“I want to do everything to win this tournament and I hope that I will,” said Van Assche, sixth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.
“When we see the names of the players who have played the Next Gen ATP Finals, they are now very, very famous and very, very good players. It’s motivating to say, ‘Okay, I’m on the right path.’”
The Frenchman’s early success — such as reaching the third round of this year’s Australian Open — has allowed him to set his sights high.
“My biggest goal is to just have big dreams,” Van Assche said. “If you have no regrets and know that you’ve done everything, I think for me that’s the most important.”
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