When Djokovic's training almost turned Arthur Cazaux's career upside down: the crazy story behind Butte Cazaux, from Melbourne to Montpellier

Arthur Cazaux pourra compter sur un bon noyau de fans, dont certains étaient déjà là en Australie. MIDI LIBRE – Alexandre Dimou

While he will face the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (30th in the world) during the round of 16 of the Open Sud de France this Thursday, February 1 at 7 p.m., Arthur Cazaux (83rd) will be able to count on a group of supporters fully committed to his cause, led by the "French boys" of the Australian Open.

What caused the start of a high-level career in tennis ? Perhaps a security guard at the Australian Open who didn't want to go overboard of zeal in the face of French supporters who came to support one of their own Down Under.

"They didn't want to let us pass because Novak Djokovic was practicing on the next course, explains Ilyas, 22 years old. And there was a huge queue for both courts because everyone wanted to see him." 

After several discussions, the “French boys” – as they were called in Melbourne – manage to reach the stands, to see Arthur Cazaux in the first round against Laslo Djere. At the best of times.

If the security guys didn't let us pass, maybe we would all have gone our separate ways and the story doesn't go any further

"After his victory, he said to me: “When you arrived, I had cramps all over, the arms paralyzed. You arrived and made a mess, I didn't feel anything anymore, I told myself it was gone again”, says Antoine, who has the @tweenertime account on Twitch and Instagram. So if the security guys don't let us pass, maybe we would all have gone our separate ways and the story doesn't go any further.&quot ; 

Not only does she not stop for these yellow ball madmen, roaming the courts of Melbourne Park throughout the fortnight to shout their love of the French. But it also begins for Arthur Cazaux, winner of Djere in the first round for a first in a Grand Slam, then of world No.8 Holger before stopping in the eighth.

The Open Sud de France rather than going home

The adventure even continued this week in Montpellier, Antoine and Ilyas coming to the Sud de France Arena to see the Montpellier at home. The tournament having invited them to reproduce their performance too.

"At first, it was a joke to tell me that I was going to come to Montpellier to see him. But I didn't think about it", explains Ilyas, who still hasn't seen his family after his several-month trip to New Zealand and Australia, preferring to come directly in Hérault after landing in Paris.

With Antoine, in Montpellier, he joined Arthur's group of friends to create the “Butte Cazaux” and set the mood in a somewhat timid South of France Arena on Tuesday evening during the first round won against Marterer.

Rehearsals to come

"They pushed us to support it, they were orchestra conductors", says Johan, a close friend of the 83rd in the world. Although the kop needs a little work for the protégé's next match, against Felix Auger-Aliassime, this Thursday.

"We need to find a moment to rehearse and brief them, wishes Ilyas, with an MHSC jersey flocked Cazaux on his back Tuesday evening. In Melbourne, we were like clockwork, knowing what to sing at this or that moment of the match. They were a little shy while we are used to shouting. We have to take advantage of numbers. There's everything to make it a good time."

The Montpellier native will face Felix Auger-Aliassime this Thursday in the round of 16. FREE MIDI – Alexandre Dimou

A round of 16 between regulars

To reach the quarter-finals of “son” tournament, Arthur Cazaux will first have to beat one of the references on the circuit, the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. Although falling to 30th place in the world, the former world No.6 will be quite a piece to stuff for the Montpellier.

The two men and their two staffs know each other very well, having trained together on Monday at the Sud de France Arena.

"He will have to impose his entry game, as in the first round, and not let Felix get away put in place, wishes Arthur Cazaux's coach, Stéphane Huet. Maybe serve better too because it was a little weak on Tuesday. In any case, it's for these kinds of matches that we play tennis, it will allow us to measure ourselves against the best."