By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, November 2, 2023

French No. 2 Ugo Humbert backs a familiar face—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—to take over as French Davis Cup captain.

The French Tennis Federation plans to name a new captain to fill the vacancy left by Sebastien Grosjean before the end of this weekend's Rolex Paris Masters.

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The 45-year-old Grosjean stepped down from his post as French Davis Cup captain last month to focus solely on coaching French phenom Arthur Fils.

World No. 26 Humbert favors former world No. 5 Tsonga because of his experience and knowledge.

"My support is for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I would like to have him on the bench, and it's someone for whom I'd like to fight for" Humbert told the media after bowing to Alexander Zverev in Paris.



A 2008 Australian Open finalist, Tsonga was a passionate Davis Cup player posting a 28-11 record overall, including a 22-10 mark in singles representing France.

"[I back Tsonga] because of what he has experienced in Davis Cup. He has great experience," Humbert told the media in Paris. "He can bring a lot to the new generation and also those who are coming. I'm in the middle. According to what I have read, he wants to use the most experienced players to help us.

"So it's someone with whom I have a good feeling, and on the bench he will be able to give me the right energy to win matches, because Davis Cup matches are very specific."

Former French standouts Gilles Simon and Paul-Henri Mathieu have also been mentioned as a potential candidates for the captaincy. The appointment is important as the next French Davis Cup captain will also lead the nation's Olympic tennis team for the 2024 Paris Games.

Photo credit: AP