By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, November 2, 2023
French No. 2 Ugo Humbert backs a well-known face—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—to take over as French Davis Cup captain.
The French Tennis Federation plans to call a brand new captain to fill the emptiness left by Sebastien Grosjean earlier than the top of this weekend’s Rolex Paris Masters.
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The 45-year-old Grosjean stepped down from his publish as French Davis Cup captain final month to focus solely on teaching French phenom Arthur Fils.
World No. 26 Humbert favors former world No. 5 Tsonga due to his expertise and data.
“My help is for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I want to have him on the bench, and it is somebody for whom I would prefer to struggle for” Humbert informed the media after bowing to Alexander Zverev in Paris.
A 2008 Australian Open finalist, Tsonga was a passionate Davis Cup participant posting a 28-11 file total, together with a 22-10 mark in singles representing France.
“[I back Tsonga] due to what he has skilled in Davis Cup. He has nice expertise,” Humbert informed the media in Paris. “He can deliver loads to the brand new technology and likewise those that are coming. I am within the center. In line with what I’ve learn, he desires to make use of probably the most skilled gamers to assist us.
“So it is somebody with whom I’ve a superb feeling, and on the bench he’ll be capable to give me the proper power to win matches, as a result of Davis Cup matches are very particular.”
Former French standout Gilles Simon has additionally been talked about as a possible candidate for the captaincy. The appointment is essential as the subsequent French Davis Cup captain can even lead the nation’s Olympic tennis staff for the 2024 Paris Video games.
Picture credit score: AP