Introducing Arthur Cazaux: Handball, Black Mamba mentality & Basecamp dominance

When you watch Arthur Cazaux compete, his athleticism immediately stands out.

The Frenchman uses his speed to track down shots, his power to drive through the ball and his agility to spring out of corners.

His physical endurance also provides him with staying power in hard-fought clashes, something that was evident on Tuesday when he overcame Laslo Djere in five sets in the first round at the Australian Open.

So what is the basis of Cazaux’s physical prowess?

“I think handball is a big reason,” the 21-year-old told ATPTour.com. “I played handball for seven years until 11 and that helped me a lot. It helped me a lot with speed, agility and I always had good cardio too, naturally. I have had good agility from that and it has helped me with all sports and tennis now. I also worked hard during all the years. That's why I kept my level, my physical level very high. I am aiming to continue to improve this.”

Cazaux trained at the handball centre in Montpellier and played for one of the best junior teams in France. However, the time demands of both handball and tennis, which he started playing at age three after watching Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, meant he had to make a decision.

“I played handball and really enjoyed it. I used to train and play for the best team in France. I liked the team environment and the centre was one of the best.

“I basically had to make a decision to play tennis and travel at 11, so that is why I had to make the choice to stop handball and it was a tough one. I loved it a lot, but I chose tennis because in tennis you are alone. This challenge, to carry the pressure alone is why I chose.”

In December, Cazaux was an alternate at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. At the 21-and-under event, the players participated in ‘Basecamp’, which was a selection of tailored and general challenges that measured the physical and athletic skills of participants.

The players undertook four tests: vertical jump, 10-meter sprint, 5-0-5 test and star drill. The winner of all four? Cazaux, who demonstrated his physical capabilities.

“It was interesting to do Basecamp with all my friends. I have good genetics. I always like good physical tests. It was nice to see that I was the best young player between all the countries and the top 21-and-under players. Physicality is one of my good points and it was great to test myself with Basecamp.”

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Alongside his athleticism, you will notice several tattoos on the Frenchman. The No. 122 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings idolises the late Kobe Bryant and has a snake to symbolise this. He also has the word ‘Resilience’ on his shoulder and a Scandinavian compass.

“I have many tattoos,” Cazaux said. “I have a snake here because I'm a big fan of Kobe Bryant and it was the Black Mamba mentality, so that's why I did this one. I have the word ‘Resilience’ on my shoulder because I had many injuries during my young career. During the injuries, I learned to be resilient.

“I also have a compass, a Scandinavian compass. It is a Scandinavian symbol. And in the Scandinavian mythology it means to keep focused on your destiny and my journey.”

Wild card Cazaux, who described his first-round victory against Djere as the biggest in his career, will next face Holger Rune in Melbourne.

The three-time ATP Challenger Tour champion is one of three young Frenchmen still in the draw, with #NextGenATP stars Arthur Fils and Luca Van Assche in the second round. Cazaux is close friends with both and admits their success is driving him.

“We are good people. Luca and Arthur train hard like me. We are in the same direction everywhere. All three of us in Paris, we train together. It is nice,” Cazaux said. “We are pushing each other. Luca and Arthur are better than me. They are younger and in the Top 100 but I try to do my best to be close to as good as them and better.”