Ugo Humbert confirms sidelined countryman Jeremy Chardy serving as his coach

FLASHBACK: Humbert triumphs at 2021 Halle

Ugo Humbert has confirmed that he is being coached by Jeremy Chardy, who has been off the ATP Tour for nearly a year.

According to Le Republicain Lorrain, Chardy will not return to competition for the rest of the season and until then, has agreed to coach his fellow Frenchman. The 24-year-old Humbert and 35-year-old Chardy were spotted working together at Newport.

Chardy, who underwent right knee surgery last month, previously revealed he had an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine following the 2021 US Open—and hasn’t played since that event.

In April, Humbert suggested he may have also suffered from similar side effects when explaining his three-week break from practicing at the end of last year was the result of fatigue and cramping. He later tested positive for COVID-19 after falling in the first round of the Australian Open.

Humbert has dropped to No. 152 from a career-high No. 25 in 2021, and is aiming to rebuild his form and his ranking. He created a bit of a stir by forgetting to bring his racquets on court with him for his second-round match against Casper Ruud at Wimbledon, but won anyway. No points were awarded at the grass-court major.

While sidelined, Chardy has also worked with Australia's Alexei Popyrin. The pair had a winning week at the Bordeaux challenger on clay courts.