By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday October 30, 2021
France’s Ugo Humbert, the current World No.29, has pulled his plug on the 2021 season ahead of next week’s Rolex Paris Masters.
The 23-year-old, who put up a 19-19 record this season, announced the news on social media early on Sunday.
“At this point it’s better to take care of myself, to look forward to a great 2022 season,” Humbert said.
The news was not taken lightly by Guy Forget, tournament director at the Rolex Paris Masters. In the unenviable position of hosting the last Masters 1000 tournament on the calendar, when many players are on their last leg, he is hyper sensitive when players choose not to play in Paris, particularly French players. But he appears to be rolling with the punches.
“It's a pity because we gave him a wild card a few years ago, he really has everything to become one day in this sacred category of champions,” Forget said.
Forget, a former World No.4 who won 11 ATP titles, continued: “I think he's got concerns. It's difficult for him to recover from a physical point of view. I cannot say because I haven't talked to him. I just know what I read on the social media, just like you.
"But if he managed to have good victories in the past, he decided not to come here at home, it must be difficult for him. I think he has genuine difficulties and he might be embarrassed. I hope he recovers soon. Maybe you'll know more than me in the days to come. Maybe he will speak."
Moutet announed that he was ending his season a week before Humbert. The talented southpaw expressed the same sentiment.
"I’m struggling since january with some injuries,this year was really hard for my body," he said. "The conditions on tour this year were not easy to take care of my body, going from bubble to an other bubble. I tried my best with the physio after NYC to be able to play few more tournament but it’s still not enough. I’m working really hard to be a better player but spending more time with physio than on court isn’t helping.. My body is tired and injured… I will take some time and come back stronger and faster.
"It’s time to say goodbye to 2021 tennis season."