They will have fought but it was not enough. After Lucas Catarina and Hugo Nys in the singles qualifying table on Saturday, it is the turn of Valentin Vacherot and once once more Hugo Nys (in doubles this time) to take the door.
If the news may seem harsh, it still hides a reason for satisfaction for Valentin Vacherot. Very fit at the start of the season with a record 138th place and three Challenger titles, Vacherot was granted an invitation to the main draw. Lucky or not, some might say, the 25-year-old “fell” once morest Grigor Dimitrov, 9th player in the world among the fittest on the circuit.
Valentin Vacherot has nothing to be ashamed of
If he did not obtain the outcome he hoped for (defeat 7-5, 6-2), Valentin Vacherot will not have been unworthy with an entry break and a first set where he showed himself to the level. Aggressive, courageous, the native of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin did not want to have any regrets when leaving the court and that is the case, in his words. “I don’t have any big regrets, I played my part. But I always say to myself: ”What would have happened if I had made this point at 40-30 at 6-5 and 40-30 to go into a tie-break.” »
Another reason for satisfaction than having competed with one of the best players in the world is that of having played on one of the most beautiful courts in the world, at home, in front of those around him. “It was crazy. My box [là où était installé tout son clan] was packed. I must have had the fullest box of the week [rires]. There were people even behind it. It was great. I also had my little clans in the stands on the right and left. I knew where everyone was, they were loud. It was a great moment.”
Disillusionment for Hugo Nys
Same fate for Hugo Nys in doubles who did not have the same ambitions in this tournament. Alongside partner Jan Zielisnki, the pair were no match for experienced and top-seeded duo Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic.
After leading by a break in the first set, Nys and Zielinski saw themselves come back then led by a set and a break, before pushing their opponents into a decisive set finally lost in the super tie-break (7- 5, 5-7, 10-7).
The last hopes of the Principality now turn to Romain Arneodo, heroic finalist in doubles last year who will enter the competition today – weather permitting around 12:30 p.m. – still alongside the Austrian Sam Weissborn.
The duo will face the French Fabrice Martin and Ugo Humbert.
Lucas Catarina: “I can’t redo history”
Lucas Catarina looks back on his elimination during the Masters 1000 qualifications. Disappointed at not having been able to reach the final draw, the Monegasque measures the progress made since his return from injury and the road he still has to go.
With a clear head, how do you judge this match lost on Saturday in qualifying (defeat once morest Vukic 6-2/6-4)?
It’s obvious that I lacked rhythm. I’ve only played one match in ten months, and unfortunately I can’t do the story once more. However, I remain happy to have had a match of this level, with interesting passages, particularly in the second set where it was much better. I draw positives from all of this. I feel like I’m hitting the ball well, and now everything has to come back into place physically.
This last year has not been easy for you…
In 2023, I have an excellent start to the season from January to March, with titles, and I am close to beating Ugo Humbert in Madrid in May who is now 15th in the world. It’s because I wasn’t that far away. And then these elbow problems happened. I played with pain, I did therapy, but it didn’t work. In September, I do the Davis Cup on anti-inflammatory. After that, I had an operation in Switzerland. It’s not easy, I’m not the first this has happened to. But when it hits you, it’s always difficult. Mentally, it’s very hard to go through these stages.
And now, how do you see the rest of the season?
I always do a lot of exercises for my elbow, it’s a long process to stay healthy. I’m 100%, but I have to work every day to avoid relapsing. My primary objective is to play tournaments one following another. I’m leaving for that in two weeks.
The Davis Cup?
Yes but it’s far. I lost points, I will have to fight in the Future tournaments to move up the rankings. My level is there, I just have to move on now.
Lucas Catarina, Monegasque professional tennis player.Jean-François Ottonello Archives.
