Maxime Hamou is a name that resonates in the tennis world for a mix of early promise and controversial headlines.
Once considered one of the rising stars of the French Federation, Hamou’s career trajectory offers a fascinating, albeit cautionary, look at the high-pressure world of professional tennis.
While he never cracked the top 100, his journey through the ITF circuits, his appearances at Roland Garros, and the infamous incident that altered his public image remain topics of discussion for tennis followers.
Maxime Hamou’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maxime Hamou |
| Date of Birth | June 8, 1995 |
| Age | 30 Years Old (in 2025) |
| Education | French Federation National Training Centre (CNE) |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
| Net Worth | $100,000 – $300,000 (Estimated) |
| Career Prize Money | ~$209,106 (approx.) |
| Highest Ranking | No. 211 (July 2015) |
| Wife/Partner | Private / Not Publicly Listed |
| Instagram Profile | @maximehamou |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Maxime Hamou was born in Nîmes, France, a region known for producing tenacious athletes. From a young age, he was identified as a talent with significant potential within the French tennis system.
France has a robust infrastructure for developing tennis players, and Hamou was a beneficiary of this system, training at the National Training Centre in Paris. His game was built for clay courts, characterized by heavy topspin and the ability to grind out long points—a quintessential French clay-courter style.
His junior career was promising, signaling that he had the tools to compete at the professional level.
He competed in prestigious junior tournaments, including the junior editions of the Grand Slams. His aggressive baseline game and competitive spirit caught the eye of the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT).
This support was crucial, as the FFT often provides wildcards and coaching resources to its brightest prospects. Hamou transitioned from the junior ranks to the professional circuit around 2013, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with being a young French hope.
Professional Career
Maxime Hamou’s professional career is a story of peaks and valleys. His breakout year came in 2015, a season where everything seemed to click. He reached his career-high singles ranking of World No. 211 in July of that year.
During this period, he was a regular face in the qualifying rounds of major tournaments and competed in the main draw of the French Open, a dream for any French player.
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His debut at Roland Garros was a significant milestone, validating the years of hard work. He faced elite competition and proved he could hang in rallies with top-tier players, even if the match results didn’t always go his way.
However, the momentum from 2015 proved difficult to sustain. The transition from the Challenger Tour (the second tier) to the main ATP Tour is a massive leap, and Hamou struggled to find the consistency required to break into the top 100.
He spent the majority of his career oscillating between the Challenger and Futures levels. While he secured several ITF titles during his career, the financial and physical toll of the lower tours began to weigh on his progress.
He became known as a “grinder”—a player capable of brilliance on his day, particularly on clay, but susceptible to early exits on faster surfaces.
Coach
During his prime years and his time within the French Federation system, Maxime Hamou worked with several federation-appointed coaches. The FFT provides a structure where coaches often rotate or manage groups of players.
Notable figures in French coaching, such as Gabriel Urpi and Boris Vallejo, have worked with players in Hamou’s generation at the National Centre.
Maxime Hamou’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Maxime Hamou’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $300,000. Unlike the top 100 players who earn millions in endorsements and prize money, Hamou’s financial picture reflects the reality of the lower-tier professional circuits.
Career Earnings
| Year | Level | Estimated Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| Career Total | All Levels | ~$209,106 |
| 2023 | ITF/Futures | ~$5,000 – $10,000 |
| 2021-2022 | ITF/Futures | ~$15,000 – $20,000 |
| 2017 | ATP/Challenger | ~$40,000 |
| 2015 | ATP/Challenger (Peak) | ~$55,000 |
Endorsements
During his peak around 2015, Hamou received support typical of a national prospect. He had equipment deals with Babolat for racquets and strings, a standard partnership for French players.
He also wore Nike apparel during his televised matches at Roland Garros. However, these deals for players ranked outside the top 100 are usually “product-only” or bonus-based contracts rather than lucrative cash retainers.
Following the 2017 controversy, his marketability took a hit, and he has not secured major commercial endorsements since.
Career Stats
| Stat Category | Record / Detail |
|---|---|
| Career High Singles Rank | No. 211 (2015) |
| Career High Doubles Rank | No. 744 (2016) |
| Grand Slam Main Draw | French Open (1R: 2015, 2017) |
| ATP Tour Match Wins | 0 (Main Draw level) |
| ITF/Challenger Titles | Several Futures Titles |
| Preferred Surface | Clay |
| Plays | Right-handed (Two-handed backhand) |
FAQs
1. Is Maxime Hamou still playing professional tennis?
Maxime Hamou is largely inactive on the professional tour. While he competed in lower-level ITF tournaments as recently as 2023, he no longer holds a competitive ATP ranking and does not play a full schedule.
2. What happened to Maxime Hamou at the French Open?
Hamou was banned from the French Open after he forcibly kissed and groped a Eurosport journalist, Maly Thomas, during a live TV interview. The incident drew widespread condemnation and led to the revocation of his tournament accreditation.
3. What was Maxime Hamou’s highest ranking?
Maxime Hamou reached his career-high singles ranking of World No. 211 on July 27, 2015.
4. How much money did Maxime Hamou make in his career?
His total career prize money is reported to be approximately $209,106. This figure represents gross winnings over a decade-long career, primarily from ITF and Challenger events.
5. Does Maxime Hamou have a coach?
Currently, Maxime Hamou does not have a publicized touring coach. During his development, he trained under the French Tennis Federation’s system, but in recent years, he has operated independently.
