Thanks to these successes, Cazaux made a resounding entry into the top 100 with an 83rd place in the world, the best ranking of his career which he obviously intends to improve as quickly as possible. In Australia, Stéphane Huet’s protégé assured that he had his head on his shoulders, remained who he had always been and above all did not see himself looking too good after his triumph against Holger Rune, a player he had mastered several times when they were still in the junior bath. His return to France would be scrutinized.
Irony of the calendar, the next tournament, the hardest of all after the promises, takes place in Montpellier, in the hometown of Arthur Cazaux, where all his ties are, in his own words. At the press conference before the start of the tournament (January 29 – February 4), it was difficult to miss: his smile did not disappear. Even if his first interactions, upon his return with another status, surprised him a little.
“There were a lot of people who came to see me, who congratulated me, who said thank you. I did not understand. They thanked me for the emotions. It’s really nice to see that I was able to pass it on” admitted the main person involved. With Adrian Mannarino and Océane Dodin, also qualified in the round of 16 in Melbourne, they thrilled the French public.
A new image to DIGEST
Now, we will have to get over this expectation which can quickly turn into unhealthy pressure. Arthur Cazaux seems to have been made aware of this trap, especially when a journalist asks him if he is not going to be considered as a seed at the Open Sud de France.
I’m not used to it, everyone comes to see me, asks me lots of questions
Arthur Cazaux
“It’s not because I had a big tournament where I beat three big players, especially Rune, that that will change. I am who I am. I’m only 80th in the world. Of course, the media were very excited, but that’s how it is every time in France. I remain the same and I know I still have a lot to prove. The hardest part is yet to come. The road is so long, so we’re not going to catch fire,” he procrastinates.
Arthur Cazaux – Montpellier-Lille 2024 © Valentina Claret / Panoramic
Cazaux has been receiving a lot of requests since he returned to France: invitation for an interview on France 3, fictitious kick-off given during the Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Lille (Editor’s note: he is a big fan of the MHSC) … He knows he won’t have to exhaust himself too much with everything that happens off the court.
“We will have to manage all that, not lose too much energy. It may be a different approach than usual. I’m not used to it, everyone comes to see me, asks me lots of questions, so that’s going to change. But frankly I take it well, it’s still a good sign,” he reassures.
Target top 50 at the end of the season
For the first time in the final draw of an ATP tournament thanks to his ranking, Arthur Cazaux could find Holger Rune, number one seed. The Montpellier resident is convinced that he will be expected more than ever and he can’t wait to do battle.
“I know I have the ability to beat any player. It’s going to be hard to win the tournament, to go all the way. But I am ready mentally and physically. I gained confidence with my beautiful month of January. I can’t wait to see what happens here”
The Open Sud de France will above all be the first step in a long process, that of a season, hopefully for Cazaux, without injury. The first step of a first season among the best players in the world. With an objective in terms of ranking at the conclusion.
Arthur Cazaux – Montpellier 2024 © Open Sud de France
“During the pre-season, I worked hard with my team, we set ourselves the objective of being top 50 at the end of the year. It’s a big goal but I think I’m capable of it, I’m doing everything I can to try to achieve it. For the moment I’m playing well, I’ve had good results, I hope to continue this momentum and we’ll see what the future and what the year has in store for me.” In the meantime, Arthur Cazaux will have to focus on what his first opponent has in store for him in Montpellier: it will be the German Maximilian Marterer, 92nd player in the world.
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2024-01-30 00:42:08
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