Cazaux recalibrates plans after breakout Aussie Open

Peter Staples for ATP Tour

Emerging French talent Arthur Cazaux is learning that life can change quickly.

At the beginning of the month he was the World No. 130 and expecting to play the early season largely at ATP Challenger level and in the qualify rounds at ATP Tour events.

But victory at the ATP Challenger in Noumea and, more importantly, a fourth-round run at the Australian Open, has upended the 21-year-old’s plans for the better.

Rising almost 50 places in three weeks to No. 83 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings will open doors to tour-level events, a development that will require rethinking of his immediate playing schedule.

“For sure my schedule is going to change a bit, but my next tournament is going to be [the ATP 250] Montpellier, because it's my own city,” Cazaux said. “That one was in red on my schedule because I love my city, and I love this tournament.

“With my ranking now I'm going to play for ATP tournaments. That's cool. I don't have any points to defend until the grass season, so that's good. That's good for me. I will play every ATP Tour tournament, and that's going to be a great experience for me.”

Pocketing US$375,000 for his fourth-round showing will also be a significant boost.

“It's nice to have the big prize money, because I can invest in my team,” he said. “I already did that because I’ve had a physio with me for six months. For sure I'm going to continue on this way to invest in my tennis because I know it's like this. I will be a better player.”

Reflecting on his Grand Slam breakthrough, which included a stunning win over World No. 8 Holger Rune, Cazaux said that there was much to be proud of despite the disappointment of his 7-6(6), 7-6(3), 6-4 loss to ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz Monday.

“Of course, I'm sad, a bit sad, because I always want more, but it's still a good week for me,” he said. “Many firsts, like first Top-10 win, first second week in a Grand Slam. So, of course, it's a good week for me. I know it's going to help me for the rest of the season.

“It was a good atmosphere to be close to every big star in tennis and to be with them in the second week. For sure it's a great experience for me. Did I learn any lessons? Yes, one maybe. It's like if I want to [win] a Grand Slam one day, it's a long way, and it's a long two weeks. For the body it's long. Also for the mind. You must be like very strong to win a Grand Slam, yeah, to be the best during two weeks in a row.”