France second best nation in the ATP top 100

Obviously, there is the crazy adventure of Terence Atmane , semi-finalist in Cincinnati against the world number 1, which adds dimension to all this and adds an extra layer of beauty to a situation that was already looking a little bright. In the next ATP rankings, on Monday, Atmane will take a giant step, swallowing 67 places in one go and settling into 69th place in the world.

But he's not alone in breaking down the door of the top 100 for the first time in his career. Valentin Royer, knocked out in the second round by Karen Khachanov in Ohio, is also pushing hard. And here are the Blues, nicely tailored in their suits, bringing the French legion to 13 members in the top 100, including 6 among the world's top fifty. Only the USA does better, by a small unit. Italy (9), Australia (8), Spain and Argentina (7) are distanced.

This figure doesn't tell the whole story, of course, but it's a powerful indicator, revealing the density and dynamics of French tennis. Especially since it shouldn't be thought that all this suddenly fell from the sky. For three weeks in November 2024, there were already 13 French players in the top 100. In August 2020, when post-Covid activities resumed, there were 12, including one top 10 player, Gaël Monfils.

"It definitely reveals our training system, which leaves few players behind. We've had a very high volume of players for decades."

French tennis is spreading, and it's even a long-standing tradition. Whether through the federal structure or private academies, we cast our net wide. "This necessarily reveals our training system, which leaves few players behind. We have had a very high volume of players for decades," says Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. "There is this consistency over time. Despite political changes, one thing has remained stable at the federation, at the technical management, and that is training," confirms Laurent Raymond, coach of the French Davis Cup team.

Eighteen years ago, in July 2007, 15 French players found their way into the top 100 and Richard Gasquet was ranked 7th in the world. It was the high life... without a Grand Slam. The Musketeers, Tsonga, Monfils, Gasquet, Simon, held the flag high and all four were in the top thirteen in the world in August 2011. And behind them, it was itching. "I always liked having people to challenge us," says Tsonga.

Of course, we're not there yet. But the quest is the same. In the footsteps of Arthur Fils (20th) and Ugo Humbert (25th), today's Blues are moving forward in force. But they still lack the lookout in the top 10, the "performance" that legitimizes everything. The last Grand Slam final dates back to 2008 (Tsonga at the Australian Open), the last semi-final was played by Lucas Pouille in 2019, also in Melbourne. It's a long time ago. But for Tsonga and Raymond, this generation has the right to ambition. "I am convinced that something is taking shape. The French are no longer afraid of the best," believes Arthur Fils' former coach. "Today, a player like Terence plays the tennis of his dreams for everyone, but that can become his foundation, no one knows." "From the moment we are able to enter the top 100, we are equipped to achieve great things," promises Tsonga.