Tennis. David Goffin: “I’m coming to win the Caen Open”
Through Gregory Maucorps
Published on
Winner of theCaen tennis open (Calvados) in 2013, the 31-year-old Belgian David Goffin, current n ° 39, will be back at the Zénith from December 14 to 17, 2021. He immersed himself in his memories in a few letters of the alphabet.
A… like Australia.
“The Australian Open is a Grand Slam, so obviously it has a place of its own. I made a quarter-final there in 2017, I lost against Dimitrov but I have no regrets about this match. This remains my best Grand Slam result with Roland in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2019. Obviously I will not forget my first round lost last year against Popyrin. On this match, however, I have a lot of regrets. I have match points and the game escapes me… That’s how it is. I will do everything to achieve a good result in 2022 ”.
“Very good memories at the Caen Open”
B… like Belgium.
“Representing your country is always an honor and a source of pride. I always give my maximum. When you are a competitor, only the first place is good. We were twice finalists for the Davis Cup with Belgium, but it’s still quite a satisfaction ”.
C… like Caen.
“I have very good memories at the Caen Open (victory in 2013 and final in 2014 for his two participations), in particular the welcome from the organizers and the atmosphere. It was really cool. It makes me happy to come back. In 2013, I remember coming out of a good season after my injury. I had played well in Caen against very good players. I had gained a lot of confidence for the following season. In 2014, I remember my match in the final against Richard (Gasquet). It was a beautiful celebration ”.
D… like Red Devils.
“When you’re Belgian, you can only support the Red Devils! About an incredible generation in football. Even if we are missing a major title, we feel that we are not far away. The semi-final in the World Cup against France in 2018 hurt us because it is played for nothing. It’s sport. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the team’s players, and we always have a lot to talk about! “
F… for End of career.
“I don’t think about the aftercare yet. I feel that I still have things to do on the circuit, beautiful things! Then we’ll see, but I definitely want to stay in the tennis world. Coach, working within the Belgian Federation in the detection of young talent or commentator on certain tournaments, why not… ”
M… as masters.
“This is perhaps my best memory (Editor’s note: David Goffin reached the Masters final in 2017, during his only participation, after having coached Nadal and Federer in particular). I remember feeling strong, full of confidence. I was sure of my game. Against Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal), I really played my best tennis. I lost in three sets in the final against Dimitrov. He will have hurt me that year (after the loss at the Australian Open) ”.
“The World Top 20 as an objective”
O… for Objectives.
“For 2022, I have fairly high goals. After a year 2020 apart and a mixed year 2021 (I still win in Montpellier against Bautista-Agut!), I feel much better. I think I will be back in the Top 30 in the first few months with the aim of reaching the Top 20 at the end of the season ”.
P… like the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Mentally, it was really trying. Everything was getting complicated. The heavy atmosphere, the lack of spectators, the anxiety of being positive and of being stuck for 15 days in your hotel room without counting the number of tests to move between each tournament. Afterwards, I put everything into perspective while having a global view of the situation. I hope we can quickly turn the page but it will not be easy ”.
Q… as a Quarter Final.
“I made three Grand Slam quarter-finals (Australia, Roland Garros, Wimbledon). Obviously, we always want to do more. I don’t set myself a specific goal, just work very hard in training and be as rigorous as possible during games. On will see ”.
“Roland, a tournament that matters to me”
R… like Roland Garros.
“It’s a tournament that means a lot to me. I really like France. Besides, I got married there. I have always had a good reception from the public. I like the site, the atmosphere, the surface. I still have my injury in the back of my head in 2017, but the page has been turned ”.
T… as World Top 7 (his best ranking).
“As I said, my goal is to be World Top 20 by the end of 2022. Top 10, I don’t know. The new generation is firmly in place ”.
V… for Victory at the Caen Open.
“I come to win and I prepare as best I can to perform well at the Australian Open. The Caen Open is part of my preparation. My last title in Montpellier has a special flavor, because I was a bit in the bottom of the wave for various reasons. Winning against Roberto Bautista Agut, who is a very great player, very solid from the baseline, found me enormous satisfaction ”.
W… like Wimbledon.
“I made the quarter-final during my last participation in 2019. I lost sharply against Novak (Djokovic), I would have liked to hang it more. I love this tournament. Weed works pretty well for me ”.
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