"I used them, and it's one of the best atmospheres I've ever lived": Ugo Humbert sees different perspective to Paris crowd amid Medvedev middle finger row

ATP
Friday, 03 November 2023 at 08:30
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French tennis star Ugo Humbert was full of praise for the atmosphere during the ongoing Paris Masters.
The competition was hit by controversy as Russia’s Daniil Medvedev showed a middle finger to the spectators sitting in the arena who booed him after he suffered a defeat to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 32 with a score of 6-3, 6-7, 7-6.
Humbert, on the other hand, was full of praise for the local crowd and stated that it was the ‘best atmosphere’ he played in.
“No, I didn't [show them the middle finger],” he said. “I just checked my nails, like this. No, really, it's nothing more than that. Why would I do that to this beautiful crowd in Paris-Bercy?”
Medvedev, in his post-match interaction with the media, admitted that he did have a problem with the crowd.
However, Humbert defended the spectators by stating that he could not imagine that people watching tennis had a problem with an individual for any reason.
“No, I cannot imagine [that they hated problem with an individual],” he said. “Because they supported me and pushed me until the end. I was one set down 4-5 and I said it can't end like that.
“I felt that they would be able to change the outcome of the match, so I played on that. I used them, and it's one of the best atmospheres I've ever lived. So it was fantastic.
“I was very close. It was a fabulous match. I had an incredible moment on the court. I'm just sad of not being able to give the victory to all my supporters. They pushed me all the way to the end, and it's the small regret I have.”
Humbert’s journey in the competition finally came to an end on Wednesday as he suffered a defeat to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the round of 32 with a score of 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.

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