Arthur Cazaux at the US Open: “I learned a lot of things and I feel ready” after a summer without a coach at his side

With his new braids, Arthur Cazaux faces Pablo Carreño Busta in the evening this Monday. Instagram Artur Cazaux.

Arthur Cazaux arrives in New York and his US Open without any particular pressure after a summer disrupted by his change of staff, while he faces Pablo Carreño Busta in the first round this Monday, August 26 in the evening in the United States.

What's better than the “Big Apple” to celebrate his birthday with a few close friends, before replaying one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world ? Probably not much.

“New York is a very nice city. But it's a city that uses up a lot of energy when you're in a tournament, says Arthur Cazaux. So I avoid visiting too much, I try to stay calm and keep as much energy as possible for my first round and why not several matches."

Now 22 years old for three days, the Montpellier native having exploded in the eyes of all thanks to a magnificent course at the Australian Open, has a great opportunity to bite into the apple of this US Open, where he has never won a match in the main draw.

No pressure

And that he begins this Monday night against the Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta, without pressure. “I am not one of the favorites or the outsiders, I am not highly anticipated. But I know that deep down, I am capable of beating a lot of very good players. The main thing was to arrive ready for the US Open. I am, so I can't wait to see what it will be like”, explains the 97th in the world, now left alone by his body and physical problems.

The journey before arriving at the last Grand Slam tournament of the season was not without its problems. Just before Wimbledon – where he won for the first time in his career this year – Cazaux has indeed chosen to part ways with his coach of two years with the aim of reaching higher ground.

“I did a lot of tests with coaches, so it wasn't the best timing to find stability in my game this summer, explains the Hérault native. I didn't necessarily play my best tennis but I learned a lot of things and I feel ready."

Positive momentum

However, Cazaux is coming off an interesting victory in the first round of the ATP250 tournament in Winston-Salem against the former No. 22 and current 73rd, the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (6-1, 7-6 [3]) before losing narrowly in the second round against the world number 65, the American Rinky Hijikata (6-4, 3-6, [4] 6-7).

Then to face Carreño Busta this Monday, former world No. 10, who returned from injury this year. “I know he's a fighter like me, and that he's had some good victories in recent weeks, relates Cazaux. It's going to be a big match, a big fight.”

I subscribe to read the rest