Girlfriend-coached ATP Star: Two Titles and reaches Top-15 in stunning 2024 season – “She was there to give me the right mindset”

Ugo Humbert explained why he added his girlfriend as his coach after achieving great results in 2024. The 26-year-old tennis player works with former world No. 25 Jeremy Chardy, who recently retired at Wimbledon 2023. However, on a couple of occasions, Chardy has been absent, relegating his role to none other than Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, Humbert's girlfriend.

The world No. 14 won two titles this year: the ATP 250 Open 13 Provence and the ATP 500 Dubai Open. In both tournaments, Chardy was not present as Humbert's coach, so Andrianjafitrimo stepped in, with notable success.

She is a professional WTA Tour player, having reached a career-high world No. 139, and finished the 2024 season ranked No. 295 after dealing with some injuries that prevented her from playing regularly. However, when she was off the court, she played a key role in Humbert’s success.

“It was nice because I won my two titles with her in Marseille and Dubai also, without my coach,” Humbert said. “She was my only coach. It was nice to be together, and she plays tennis too so we speak the same language.”

“She can tell me everything. She knows me perfectly so when I see her, she can give me a lot of her energy and confidence too,” he added. “That’s why I love her because she can talk to me and tell me the truth. Sometimes it’s difficult but I really like it, it’s better to improve.”

According to Andrianjafitrimo, the key was how she provided emotional support, leaving the tactical side to Chardy. “It’s different when it’s not you on the court and even more when you love the person and you don’t want that person feeling bad or sad,” she said. “But I guess I knew how to switch my mind to stay focused on what meaning: mindset. Our relationship is based on honesty. Always. On all the subjects."

“So when it’s about tennis, how’s the most important part of our life actually, it’s serious. So he knows that I’m not here to be a nice or a kind girlfriend, I’m just here to tell him what it is, so I’m not afraid to be honest. Tactics were not from me. When I needed I texted Jim or he sent me messages during the match and so I had my phone open on WhatsApp during the all match.

“But to be honest, I didn’t really mind about tactics, because even if I’m a player that was not my job. That was Jim’s job so I was just the ‘mouth’ of him not here.”

“It was only for the mindset. The tactical [side] is not really important,” he claimed. “The most important is she knows me really well so I think it was emotional support and she will be there to give me the right mindset. She spoke together with Chardy.”

The retired former player from 2023 echoed Andrianjafitrimo’s comments and praised her for stepping into the coaching role when he couldn’t be present. “I talk tactics directly with Ugo. She was with us a lot last year so we were watching the matches together so she knows the mentality and the mindset you need to have,” he described. “When you’re a player, you know how you can help your partner and I think Ugo is someone who likes to be around people he loves and it makes him peaceful and more confident.”

Andrianjafitrimo also expressed her gratitude to Humbert and his team for entrusting her with the responsibility in his box during important weeks. “I’m so grateful to him and his team for that. It was a hard time for me, and to get the chance to fight even if it’s in the player box, helped me to keep the fighting spirit and my goals in mind,” she claimed.

“I hope [it helped her], It’s not easy when you’re a tennis player and you can’t be on court in a tournament so to be with me, I think she keeps the hope to come back and the energy and the motivation to be in the tournaments,” responded the world No. 13 Ugo Humbert.