Arthur Cazaux takes it all in his stride hearing parallels drawn between him and the likes of former junior rivals Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune at Australian Open 2024.
The former junior world No.4 has watched on from afar in recent years as his three peers rapidly realised their potential to become bona fide top-10 stars.
MORE: All the results from AO 2024
A year younger than Sinner, only nine months Alcaraz’s senior and eight months older than Rune, Cazaux – who honed his powerful serve and athleticism growing up playing handball – knew he had what it took to join the conversation in the second week of a major.
More from AO 2024
-
De Minaur hoping to emulate Aussie greats at AO 2024
NEWS
-
Who would have thought? AO 2024 week one
NEWS
“There are so many players much better in the ranking than me, young players like Carlos, Holger, Jannik, and Arthur Fils also,” Cazaux said. “Of course, I know them because we were in junior together. Yes, they are superstar now, so it’s crazy for them.
“Me, you know, I did my trip. I had many injuries, and then I did my best. You know, I do my trip, and we will see where is gonna be.
“Yes [I beat them], when we were in juniors. I remember I played once against Carlos, but it was a long time ago. I played also many times against Holger. But, you know, it’s juniors.
“There are so many people when we are young. It was long time ago, so I hope now I’m gonna play against them during big tournaments like Australian Open.”
Before AO 2024, the 21-year-old had not won a match at a Grand Slam in three attempts at qualifying or three main draw appearances since 2020.
A reciprocal wild card granted the 122nd-ranked Frenchman his Australian Open main draw debut, which spared him a qualifying route and allowed him to contest a Challenger event in idyllic New Caledonia.
To minimal fanfare, Cazaux won the title and carried that form to Melbourne Park where he squeezed past Laslo Djere in five sets for his first win at a major before the boilover against eighth seed and former junior contemporary Rune.
When Dutch 28th seed Tallon Griekspoor became his third victim, it sparked wild celebrations on Court 3.
“I know I could play this kind of level, but I never prove it, you know, in a real match,” he said. “In me I was confident, but to prove it in the first round gave me more confidence, and yes, now I know I can beat this kind of player during a real match. And now I’m gonna repeat, but I was ready for everyone and even more ready now in my head and in my game.”
Guaranteed a top 100 debut following his breakout Australian Open Cazaux will climb from his new mark of world No.83 to inside the top 60 should he claim his second top-10 victim of the fortnight against ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz.
The first wild card to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park since Lleyton Hewitt in 2012, Cazaux has already joined select company.
Victory over the Pole would make him the first wild card since Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon in 2014 through to a major quarterfinal and continue a love affair with the city at which he reached the boys’ singles final four years ago.
“I love the atmosphere here… everything – Melbourne, the Aussie crowd, the site is wonderful, it is a wonderful tournament,” Cazaux said.
“In junior I played very good. This year first time in the professional tournament here, and I play pretty good also. I’m feeling good there, and I hope it’s gonna continue.”