Get To Know Ugo Humbert, Who Will Make Milan Debut

Ugo Humbert won’t be missing out on the Next Gen ATP Finals this year. The 20-year-old left-hander booked his ticket to the award-winning tournament on Thursday following the withdrawal of Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (left ankle).

Here are five things to know about the talented Frenchman, who’s leading the country’s #NextGenATP hopefuls.

1. He has steadily climbed the ATP Rankings
Last October, Humbert had just cracked the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. But this year, he’s made it his permanent home.

The 20-year-old hit a career-high ATP Ranking of No. 46 in July and, since 7 January, has never seen a triple-digit number next to his name.

“I work hard. I am very much focussed,” Humbert said. “I just try to carry on and deal with myself. It’s more important to focus on my own career rather than looking around.”

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2. He excels off the court as well
The Frenchman relaxes after a day of training by playing the piano 30 to 45 minutes every day. The habit helps take his mind off tennis.

He started playing piano when he was about five years old at the urging of his parents. Now he always travels with his keyboard, and the French Tennis Federation has a piano at his training facility in Paris.

“I try to play as often as I can,” Humbert said. “I really enjoy playing, and it is very relaxing. During those moments, I don’t think about anything else.”

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3. He made history at SW19
Humbert had never played a professional match on grass before this season. But who said experience was a prerequisite to making the second week of Wimbledon? Humbert beat #NextGenATP Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime to make the Round of 16, where he fell to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

“I’m very happy about this match. Felix is a great player and a good friend, so I was really happy to share the court with him. For sure, it will be the next generation and the future,” Humbert said.

He became the 43rd man in the Open Era to make the Wimbledon fourth round on debut. Only five other players have accomplished the feat in the past 10 years.

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4. Grass and indoors are his favourite conditions
Humbert’s flat style excels in quick and low-bouncing conditions, such as on grass and at indoor events. The 6’2” left-hander is 6-4 at tour-level this year on grass, including his Hall of Fame Open semi-final run in Newport in July. Indoors, Humbert is 7-6 at tour-level, which includes two other semi-final runs, at the Open 13 Provence in Marseille and the European Open in Antwerp.

More About Humbert
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5. He narrowly missed out on Milan one year ago
A late surge by Hubert Hurkacz saw the Pole leapfrog Humbert in the final 2018 ATP Race To Milan standings and qualify for the 21-and-under event. But not this year: Humbert is ready to make his debut and become the first Frenchman to compete at the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Speaking earlier this year, Humbert shared how much the accomplishment means to him: “It is one of my goals this year to participate and be one of the best young players,” he said. “I will give everything in order to be there this year.”