Cincinnati Masters sensation Terence Atmane says he is just a regular guy who has to buy himself clothes and shoes for matches, and adds he is solely responsible for his career since he doesn't have an agent.
Over the past 10 days, Atmane - who is ranked at No. 136 in the world - has been one of the best storylines in tennis. After winning two qualifying matches to reach his first Cincinnati main draw, the 23-year-old went on to win five more matches - including impressive victories over Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune - to make the semifinal.
But unlike the majority of players competing at this year's Cincinnati Masters, Atmane doesn't have many sponsors after Asics dropped him last fall - he only gets his rackets from Tecnifibre. The rest ofthe apparel he has to buy himself.
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Apart from Tecnifibre for the rackets, I dont have any sponsors since I got dropped by Asics. I buy my clothes and shoes like everyone else. I dont have an agent; I do my thing on my own in my corner," the world No. 136 told L'Equipe.
Atmane hopes this is only the start of something bigger
Atmane has never been a top-100 or an ATP semifinalist before. When the ATP rankings list gets updated, the Frenchman will be ranked at least inside the top-70. Also, he has already secured himself a very nice $332k payday for making the Cincinnati semis.
With that money but also his new ranking, the Frenchman hopes it can also do some solid things for his career.
Being top 100 means fewer qualifiers. It also validates a certain financial stability that will allow me to invest in my coaches. Ill also be able to save some money, because when you play in Challengers, you lose a lot of money. Ill need to be smart and keep working, show what Im capable of on the main Tour and not just in Challengers. Now, I have to keep climbing, and it will be a great challenge. Im not setting any limits for myself," the Cincinnati semifinalist explained.
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Atmane is set to battle against Jannik Sinner for a place in the Cincinnati final.
