Kyrian Jacquet was out for more than half of the 2024 season due to injuries. Hamstring, abdomen, adductor and ankle issues did not allow him to play for more than four months at a stretch.
The 23-year-old Frenchman seems to be in a hurry to compensate for the lost time, as he has clinched two titles on the ATP Challenger Tour circuit in the past two weeks in India.
“I had a really tough year last year because I had a lot of injuries. I was out for eight (six) months. So, it is tough to play at a great level. That’s why I’m ranked 270. But that is not my level. I know I play better than this,” said Jacquet after his win over Czechia’s Dalibor Svrcina in the Chennai Open semifinals.
Not only did he win the title in Chennai, but he also managed to carry his form into the tournament in New Delhi, where he lifted the trophy last week without dropping a set.
As a result, he has jumped to 156, a new career-high, in the live ATP Rankings.
Highlights of an otherwise forgettable 2024 season
Jacquet could only play 40 matches across 17 tournaments in 2024 and reached only one final – at a Challenger event in Salzburg.
However, he did have two special moments.
He got to face three-time Major champion and former World No. 1 Andy Murray at a Challenger in Bordeaux. Despite his mid-match retirement, Jacquet has happy memories from that encounter. “It was a great experience because he has been one of my idols. I love how he plays and how he is on the court. He’s excited and angry and I like how he is. I was injured, so it was tough, but it was really good to play him before he retired. And it was cool because, after the match, we had a 30-minute talk in the locker room,” said the Frenchman.
In August, Jacquet finally managed to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam after six attempts. He beat three higher-ranked opponents to book his main-draw spot at the US Open. The reward was a first-round clash against the then World No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov, which he lost in straight sets while struggling through an injury yet again.
“It was great (to qualify for the US Open main draw) because I had all my family and my girlfriend with me. I played really well. Qualifying was really good because I had a tough year with injuries. Playing against Dimitrov was unbelievable, but I was injured in the abdomen. So, I couldn’t serve,” recollected Jacquet.
Inspired by Dad to pick tennis
Jacquet was four years old when he watched his father play club tennis in Lyon. It motivated him to try the sport himself. He also tried playing football, but upon realising that he was better at the racquet sport, he focused completely on it.
When he turned 18 and started playing more frequently on the senior circuit, he was allowed to stay and train at the French National Tennis Training Centre (CNE) at Roland Garros, the venue where the French Open is held.
“It was perfect for me because, at that time, the All In Academy (where he currently trains) was not really big. So it was better for me to stay in Paris with a lot of good guys. I could train with Richard Gasquet, Adrian Mannarino and other top French players. I lived there for two years before shifting to an apartment near the centre,” said Jacquet.
In 2023, Jacquet left the CNE and joined the All In Academy, started by former French players Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga and Thierry Ascione, in Lyon.
Deja vu for Challengers in India
Two years ago, Max Purcell came to India as World No. 203 but after three straight titles at the Challengers in Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune, the Australian made his Top 100 debut.
READ | Who is benefitting from the ATP Challengers in India?
Jacquet is on a similar trajectory and deep runs in the next fortnight in Pune and Bengaluru can ensure a Top 100 debut for him as well.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com