“I'd like to get closer to the top 30”: Arthur Cazaux opens up before facing Stan Wawrinka at the Open Occitanie

After a 2024 rich in experience, Montpellier's Arthur Cazaux returns to the Open Occitanie. The 22-year-old player, who has dropped back to 101st in the world, opens up before facing Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the Hérault tournament.

Arthur, how do you feel about this start to the season? ?

Honestly, I feel pretty good physically. It was a bit tough in the first tournaments. I had a bit of a complicated basic preparation, which is why I arrived a little less ready for the tournaments in Australia. But I feel like I've been gaining momentum for quite a few weeks. I'm freshly arrived at the Montpellier tournament, it's been a week since I arrived in France.

Freshness is what you were missing last season when you arrived here ?

I arrived earlier, I don't have jet lag anymore, it's less of a rush than when I arrived last year. In two days, I had to train, manage the media, lots of stuff. Now, I had time. That's a plus for the preparation.

Last year, there was a kind of excitement, the euphoria of the Open. Anyway, playing at home, even when you're a little diminished, you don't feel it too much because you're pushed so much by everyone in the Arena that any little pain disappears.

Is there any ambition this week?

Always. I always want to do well. I know that I am capable of beating big players and going far in tournaments. Given my ranking and my results, I am not the favorite at all. But I know, deep down, that I am capable of playing good tennis. And that, given the conditions here, I can go far.

“I know that great things await me”

When you think back to last year's Australian Open and all the media coverage that followed, what do you think about?

It was a lot of new things, great things. 2024 was rich in experiences. Besides, the Australia-Montpellier sequence really made me happy, even if it was energy-consuming.

You mention the new things of 2024. What does that portend for 2025 ?

Last year, I entered the top 100, I experienced my first big victories. It's my best year and I know that great things await me. I want to go higher, I work hard and I'm super motivated to continue to move forward, to progress. I'm giving it my all to achieve my goals.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Which are they?

I would like to get closer to the top 30. It's a great goal, I think I'm capable of it. Why not go for a title in 250 and if it's in Montpellier, that would be even better.

Looking back, do you think we made a bit too much of it after your round of 16 in Melbourne? ?

It's always nice when people talk about you. And in a good way. But yes, I thought we were getting a bit carried away because I was only 130th. Having a second week of a Grand Slam is not an end in itself. I want to win a Grand Slam one day. A second week is not going to satisfy me. When you see Alcaraz (21 years old), Sinner (23 years old), who are almost my age, it's monstrous. I draw a lot of inspiration from them. I know I won't have as many victories as them, but I'm moving forward at my own pace and I'm still aiming just as high.

The excitement around you is hardly surprising. France is looking for what comes after Monfils, Gasquet, Tsonga… Do you discuss this expectation with the other French players? ?

No. In any case, the French media has always been like that. When things are going well, it’s great. When things are going less well, we are talked about less, but that’s part of the game. I accepted that. And for me, in any case, the media is something that I really take easy. I don't mind at all.

“I really want to build my team, travel with them and build something solid”

You lost a lot of points at the Australian Open ? How do you approach this situation with your new coach ?

I have always focused on race. In my opinion, when you start a year, everyone starts from scratch. And the goal is to be the best in each tournament. And that's why we set ourselves goals for the end of the year each time.

Is it a way to take the pressure off ourselves? ?

Yes, for sure. Afterwards, we, with Sam Sumyk (new coach), are mainly focused on me, on the areas to improve in my game. I think that, to be successful, I must first focus on myself. The results will follow. If you're better, you'll obviously win more matches.

You have your coach, a physiotherapist, a mental trainer, an agent… You've built a real structure.

And it's not complete yet. I really want to build my team, travel with them and build something solid. That's going to help me progress. I'm still looking for a physical trainer and a second coach to fill in the few weeks I'm missing with Sam, because he can't be there all my trips. I like it, I feel a bit like a business leader. I invest in it, I have to make choices. I have to be responsible (smile). Afterwards, I have my parents who help me a bit with the accounting, with everything that's a bit tax-related. My agent, who I have had for seven years, mainly handles all the contracts