Patrick Mouratoglou on Bastide Médical UTS Nîmes: “I got goosebumps”
The second UTS event of 2025 took place in Nîmes, with Casper ‘the Ice Man’ Ruud lifting his first title after having previously never reaching a final.
Patrick Mouratoglou gave his insight into the success of the Bastide Médical UTS Nîmes.
“I don’t like to compare events because I think they were all amazing and at different stages finally of where we were. That was the most special because the place, Les Arènes de Nîmes, is unreal,” stated the renowned coach.
“There is no other place like this in the world and the impression you have when you enter the court is really incredible. Also, it was packed. We sold 12,500 seats on Saturday, 20,500 globally in two days. So if you consider all that, yes it’s the best so far, but it’s normal too because in every event we do better.”
When asked what moment from the event that will live the longest in his memory, Mouratoglou stated: “Maybe it will sound completely stupid, but the thing that comes to my mind when you ask me the question is when the two French players sang the national anthem. I mean they didn’t sing it, the crowd did, and they got together at the net.
“I don’t know, I had goosebumps. Maybe it’s completely stupid. I was surprised, but that’s what happened. You don’t see that on a tennis court.”
Verdict on ‘the Ice Man’
‘The Ice Man’ was victorious in a 12-13, 16-14, 15-14, 15-11 final against Tomas ‘Air Machete’ Machac, much to the delight of the Norwegian.
“Casper won for the first time after he played four semifinals but never qualified even for a final. I think it’s a combination of factors,” analysed Mouratoglou.
“Of course, clay. I think he’s an all-court player, but clay is probably the surface that highlights his style the best, where he had the best results. So that played a role.
“I think what played a role too is that he’s becoming a real UTS specialist. He played so much with us. And I think the series have to end because he has the level 100 percent to win a UTS. I don’t think it’s a normal thing that he didn’t win one before and he really wanted it. So, you know, at some point he made it, and it was here
“He has the level and the style of game to win UTS. He’s so incredibly consistent and fit, with an incredible cardio. There are two factors that are key at UTS.”
Future of UTS? Asia debut in October
UTS will make it’s Asian debut in Hong Kong, 14 – 15 October 2025, at the Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park.
The event will feature Alex ‘The Demon’ de Minaur, Andrey ‘Rublo’ Rublev, and Zhizhen ‘The Night Watchman’ Zang.
“That was a part of my vision when I started UTS, to be global” remarked the UTS founder.
“So, it was extremely important for us to have events on every continent. So this one, this milestone of playing in Asia, is huge for us. And plus to play in Hong Kong in Asia is the cherry on the cake. It is one of the best cities of whole Asia: extremely modern but also a huge place for technology and finance.
“There are a lot of expats also, which is cool because they know tennis really well, and it’s diverse, so they will be able to root for different players because of their nationalities. I cannot be happier to go to Hong Kong.”
