Two years ago, Luca Van Assche was ranked 211th in the world. This Friday, he will step onto the Estoril clay to face Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. Between those two data points lies the story of a player who rebuilt his career away from the spotlight.
Born in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium, to a Belgian father and an Italian mother who later became a French citizen, Van Assche grew up between Aix-en-Provence, Lyon and Paris. He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 2021, winning the Roland-Garros junior title by defeating fellow Frenchman Arthur Fils in the final. The future looked bright.
But the transition to the professional circuit proved rockier than expected. After a promising 2023 season that included a Next Gen ATP Finals qualification and a career-high ranking of 63, the following year brought a sharp decline. By 2025, Van Assche had dropped beyond 200th in the rankings, the kind of setback that has derailed many a talented youngster.
The comeback started on the Challenger circuit. Since the beginning of the 2026 season, the 22-year-old Frenchman has won three Challenger titles: Quimper, Lille and Parma. Those victories propelled him from the wilderness back to world number 78. His 33-18 record this season speaks to a newfound consistency.
In Estoril, Van Assche is confirming that upward trajectory. After a three-set first-round victory over Silva, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1, he knocked out eighth seed Pablo Carreno-Busta, a former top-10 player, in a tight three-setter, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. It was a match that showcased the Frenchman's baseline quality and a mental resilience that has not always been his strongest suit.
The challenge ahead is significant. Rublev, the top seed, dispatched Skatov 6-1, 6-1 in the previous round and looks in ominous form on clay. The Russian possesses one of the most devastating forehands on tour, and the baseline exchanges promise to be fierce.
What sets Van Assche apart, beyond his results, is his dual life. The player is simultaneously pursuing a mathematics degree at Paris-Dauphine University, a rare choice at this level of professional tennis. That intellectual rigour translates onto the court: he is a right-hander with a well-constructed two-handed backhand and above-average tactical awareness.
At 22, Van Assche is no longer a prospect. He is a player on the rise, knocking on the door of the top 50. His quarterfinal clash with Rublev on Friday afternoon in Estoril will reveal whether the Frenchman is ready for the next step.
