Frenchmen at the NBO: Like home away from home

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Québec is a tiny French-speaking enclave in North America, so it’s not surprising that French players would feel especially at home in Montréal.

Established in 1642 on the site of a village known as Hochelaga, the city has preserved the language and many cultural elements of its early European settlers.

Members of the French tennis delegation dispatched to the NBO appreciate hearing their first language all over the city and speaking with reporters in French.

As of today, there are ten Frenchmen in the ATP Top 100. That’s a record equalled only by the US. To give you an idea of the depth of French tennis, there are 16 more players between No. 100 and No. 200 versus only 10 Americans, even though the United States has a population that’s five times larger than France.

Barring unforeseen circumstances and injuries, six Frenchmen should be in the mix at the 2024 NBO.

Main draw

No. 15 Ugo Humbert
No. 20 Arthur Fils
No. 30 Gaël Monfils
No. 32 Adrian Mannarino

Qualifying tournament

No. 47 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
No. 64 Arthur Rinderknech

Here’s a quick survey of the players Quebecers will affectionately call their cousins for a few days this August.

Gaël the showman

Like Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, the ever-affable Gaël Monfils doesn’t seem to age. The 37-year-old, who had 10 stints in the Top 10 between 2009 and 2020, has never stopped drawing crowds with his mesmerizing tennis magic.

Read also: Meet the ATP Top 10

At the 2023 NBO in Toronto, he stunned the World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas. In Indian Wells last spring, he ousted No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz and No. 28 Cameron Norrie in back-to-back wins.

Ugo hearts Québec

No. 15 Ugo Humbert is the highest-ranking Frenchman. In 2018, on the cusp of winning his first Challenger title in Segovia, he fought his way into repeat finals in Québec, in Granby and Gatineau. Fans remember, and so does he.

The 26-year-old has been in the Top 20 since November 2023 and rose as high as No. 13 last April when he took the top honours in Dubai—the most important title of his career—after liquidating Murray, Hurkacz and Medvedev.

Prince Arthur

Arthur Fils, who just turned 20, is seen by many as the next French no.1.

Last season, he rose from No. 252 to No. 36 and clocked impressive victories over Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz.

Currently ranked No.20, he’s still learning—and rising—at top speed. On July 21, he won his first ATP 500 title in Hamburg, where he upset Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(1) in a memorable final.

With the Olympic Games just days away, what more could you ask for from the man who grew up 30 km south of Paris?

Mannarino: like fine wine

Like fine French wine, Adrian Mannarino is only getting better with age.

It’s an easy analogy considering the 36-year-old ascended to his highest career ranking of No. 17 just a few months ago.

But since then, he’s won only 2 of his last 16 matches. Here’s hoping he bounces back in Montréal.

Giovanni and the giant serve

Most of the tennis world discovered the towering Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (6’8”!) just a few weeks ago, at Wimbledon. No one was more hard hit than his opponents Sebastian Korda, who watched 51 aces whiz by him, and Yoshihito Nishioka, who stood there for 27 aces during a quick 73-minute three-setter in the following round.

The 20-year-old is really taking off: since the start of the season, he’s moved up from No. 205 to No. 47.

There’s no doubt he can wreak havoc in the qualifying rounds in Montréal.

The other Arthur

No. 64 Arthur Rinderknech has spent the past three years between No. 42 and No. 99. His two most significant upsets came at the expense of Jannik Sinner (2021) and Frances Tiafoe (2024).

The ATP's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open August 3 to 12, 2024 at IGA Stadium. 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : Panoramic