First-Time Winner Highlight: Benjamin Bonzi | ATP Tour

First Time Winner

First-Time Winner Highlight: Benjamin Bonzi

Frenchman emerged victorious on residence soil in Metz

November 11, 2024

Benjamin Bonzi clinched his first ATP Tour title on residence soil on the Moselle Open after defeating Cameron Norrie within the ultimate. It was the primary style of championship-match victory on the third try for the Frenchman, who in 2023 reached finals at ATP 250 occasions in Pune and Marseille.

The 28-year-old arrived in Metz after profitable ATP Challenger Tour titles in Roanne and St. Brieuc in October, throughout which he was additionally a finalist at that degree in Brest.

ATPTour.com caught up with the Frenchman to debate his maiden second, his 2024 season, and extra.

What does it imply so that you can win your first ATP tour title?
I have been by two finals final yr and did not handle to win one. That is all the time particular, to make historical past and win a event. To place your title on the listing, on this lovely event, after so many nice gamers like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or final yr [when Ugo Humbert won]. That feels very nice, particularly after the yr I’ve been by. Profitable the title is all the time particular. And I feel profitable our first ATP title is one thing extra particular, wonderful.

You’ve gotten received 21 out of your previous 22 matches. Did you suppose this was doable? And what has been working so nicely for you?
In case you had stated to me that six weeks earlier, I [would] inform you that you just’re a liar. However now every part is true. I felt wonderful on the courts [in] the previous few weeks on the Challenger Tour and the ATP Tour. I feel that my degree got here again, particularly on the on the psychological half, and the best way I managed all these issues that I have been by on the courtroom. I do know I can face a whole lot of issues on the courtroom and be prepared for every part. That was possibly not the case all of the yr. However 21 victories within the final 22 matches was wonderful. I might have signed, for positive, with each ends, however that is a terrific finish of the season, form of a fairy story. So, to finish like this, to be again within the Prime 100 and be [in the] predominant draw for Melbourne.

5 years from now, what do you suppose you’ll keep in mind most about this week?
For positive I’ll keep in mind the primary title. Like I stated, it is all the time particular, the best way I performed is the half that I am essentially the most happy with. The best way I performed the ultimate. I went for it. I attempt to be aggressive, to take my possibilities each time I can. That is possibly the trickiest half to handle within the ultimate. Since you’re tight, and also you wish to win. However this was an important match, and I went by it. I managed all my feelings, every part [that was in my mind]. For me simply to play the ultimate, I wish to keep in mind that and maintain this for the subsequent matches.

Might you are taking a second to acknowledge among the key figures in your life who’ve helped you attain this milestone?
My coach, Lionel Zimbler. Now we have been working collectively for 5 years now. He’s in Marseille. One other coach, Martin. He stopped in June. It was a bit robust to switch him. However I had a whole lot of [people] subsequent to me. There’s my girlfriend with [me] each time, supporting me, attempting to make me a greater individual, even on the courts and off the courts. [I also have] the psychological coach. I’ve two trainers with me. Ralph, who’s working in Marseille with me, and Kevin, who’s travelling extra with me in tournaments.

A tennis group is lots of people. And, I had a coach this week. I labored with him possibly two years in the past. He got here again for me on Tour, for 2 or three weeks on the finish of this yr. It was fairly good. And I additionally had the prospect to work with Laurent Raymond. He is working for the [French] Federation, and so they gave him to me for a couple of weeks. He is a really skilled coach.

How would you describe your self as a participant and describe your self off the courtroom?
Off the courtroom, I’m a really calm individual. I really like to remain at residence and relaxation, as a result of the life on Tour is exhausting. You are all the time shifting, taking some flights or prepare, all the time shifting and travelling. I am a really calm individual. I am very near my shut ones. I am not so extravagant. That is form of the identical on courtroom. I will not be as fancy as Corentin Moutet, for instance, or another guys, however I attempt to do my greatest. I attempt to keep targeted, and generally there may be not as a lot present as folks need, however that is my technique to attempt to play on the courtroom. I’m a peaceful man.