Ugo Humbert confirms sidelined countryman Jeremy Chardy serving as his coach

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.

Advertising

Now outside the Top 150, Humbert has stepped down to the Challenger level. Last week, he reached the semifinals in Pozoblanco.

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.