This October, the Paris-Bercy sports center is organizing a farewell party. For 39my And if that were not enough, the Parisian venue hosts within its walls the Paris Masters 1000, one of the most important tournaments on the little yellow ball calendar. And among the stars of the circuit, the French did not miss their last match at the famous venue: five of them qualified for the round of 16, which begins on Thursday, October 31.
The funeral thus acquires an air of new life for French tennis, lately more accustomed to wet firecrackers than fireworks. In 2023, Ugo Humbert was the only blue to win a match in the main draw of the now called Rolex Paris Masters, and was eliminated in the next. This time, Messin did not give details in the second round, quickly crushing the American Marcos Girón on the narrow number one court (6-3, 6-2).
Ugo Humbert had a very special motivation when he stepped on the field: the field precisely. “I am the French number one. He deserved to play in the [court] Bercy center. I’ve been waiting for this since the beginning of the year. It’s my favorite tournament. Obviously I was disappointed with the programming and a little surprised”he explained at a press conference. A fan – and host – of overheated environments, Ugo Humbert finds his happiness on the center court, where spectators are always quick to push the French. Less about the two annexes.
Its size (less than 2,000 places in total for both) is unusual for a tournament of this type: the second highest level after the four Grand Slams. And its height under the roof does not meet the ATP criteria. If the body that governs the men’s circuit turned a blind eye until now by offering the Paris tournament an exemption in recent seasons, it will soon no longer need it. Starting next year, “Bercy” fills its boxes and heads to the immense Paris La Défense Arena and its 40,000 seats (concert system).
The next French generation shines
The move to Nanterre is accompanied by a wave of memories. “It’s really special as a short. Somewhat surprising things often happen here in Bercy.recalls Adrian Mannarino, also qualified for the round of 16 in his thirteenth participation. When I think of Bercy, I really think of the central court. »
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