Hugo Gaston, during the Challenger tournament in Bergamo, Italy on February 22, 2020. -

Roberta Corradin / Pacific Press / Rex / Sipa

  • Hugo Gaston will play this Monday his first round of Roland-Garros against another French guest, Maxime Janvier.

  • At just 20 years old, the 2018 Youth Olympic Games gold medalist dreams of one day winning a grand slam tournament.

    But this year in Paris, he will especially want to gain experience, without putting too much pressure on himself.

This is called regular progression.

In 2018 and 2019, Hugo Gaston stopped in the first and then in the second round of the Roland-Garros qualifications.

This year, the young Haut-Garonnais, 239th in the world, received a “wild card” to enter the main draw.

There is worse as a gift for his 20 years, celebrated on Saturday.

“We are already delighted that the tournament is taking place, it was not won, remarks his coach Marc Barbier.

This invitation is a great honor, a great pride.

We thank the DTN and the organizers.

"

“Playing Roland Garros is a childhood dream and now it's a goal,” asserts the left-hander, member of TC Blagnac.

I hope to do the best I can without putting pressure on myself.

"

An opponent he beat in early September

Ironically, the hope, originally from Fonsorbes, in the west of Toulouse, immediately fell against another French “guest”, the Picard Maxime Janvier (23 years old, 203rd at the ATP).

At the beginning of the month, the youngest, from the height of his 1.73 m, had corrected his tall compatriot (1.96 m) in Aix-en-Provence, already on earth (6-3, 6-0).

“This match will be a new story, brakes Marc Barbier before the reunion on Monday.

We start with a blank sheet of paper.

A first round between French people is always very special, especially at Roland Garros.

"Between the stress of the big picture and the Covid-19 which haunts the 2020 edition (public reduced to the minimum portion, health" bubble "to avoid the dreaded positive test), is there a place for fun?

"Hugo is not someone naturally anxious," notes his trainer.

He saw the situation in a relaxed way with a little humor and offset.

"

Left-handed, Nadal fan and "easygoing" ... Here is Hugo Gaston, great hope of French tennis https://t.co/GLctqOyfb0 via @ 20minutes pic.twitter.com/lxtLLguyks

- 20 Minutes Toulouse (@ 20minutestoul) March 21, 2018

Better because the days can be long in a hotel room as a place of non-training containment, waiting for the big day.

“I'm playing pretty well at the moment, I'm pretty confident, I can't wait to start the tournament,” says Rafael Nadal fan who despite his young age has already compiled a lot of miles over his long trips ...

Victorious at the end of 2017 of the Orange Bowl in Florida - one of the most prestigious junior tournaments - Hugo Gaston won the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires a year later.

Last January, he played his first grand slam tournament at the Australian Open, falling with arms in hand to the more experienced Spaniard Jaume Munar, in four sets.

Win at Roland, or elsewhere

If he has not set a result target this year Porte d'Auteuil, Hugo Gaston does not hide his ambitions for the future.

“Winning Roland Garros or a grand slam is a goal for me,” he says.

Quite simply the dream of every French tennis player since 1983 and the success of Yannick Noah in Paris… In the short term, the Fonsorbais remains reasonable.

“I want to try to get into the Top 100 as quickly as possible and then give myself goals as I progress.

"

This progression should continue for some time to take place far from the broadcasts in mondiovision.

“Our daily life is the Challengers [the second division of the professional circuit], recalls Marc Barbier.

Benefiting from invitations to big tournaments like Roland-Garros is a plus, it's what helps build the experience.

“If successful in January, Hugo Gaston could come up against the Canadian Félix Augier-Aliassime, also born in 2000, but already 21st in the world.

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