On Friday at Wimbledon David Goffin took to the court to play his third round match almost exactly 11 years after he reached that stage of the tournament for the first time.
The Belgian is a former world No.7, a four-time major quarter-finalist and has claimed six ATP titles on the Tour. However, he currently finds himself outside of the top 100 due to the after-effects of an injury-related break. It is a frustrating situation to be in but Goffin sees it more as a challenge than a blow.
At Wimbledon, he was granted a wild card into the main draw following his run to the last eight of the tournament 12 months ago. Initially, he was set to lock horns with Nick Kyrgios before the Australian pulled out of the draw. Instead, he played and beat Fábián Marozsán who is known for upsetting Carlos Alcaraz in Rome earlier this year. Then in the second round, he dismissed Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera in four sets.
Goffin was eventually stopped in his tracks by seventh seed Andrey Rublev but he refused to exit the tournament quietly. He clinched the second set and boasted a 4-1 lead in the third but it wasn’t enough for him to seal the win. Instead, Rublev rallied to a 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-2, win.
After Goffin’s ninth Wimbledon appearance came to an end, he spoke at length to Ubitennis about the past, present and future of his career. At the age of 32, he is becoming a veteran of the Tour but that doesn’t mean his passion for the sport is evaporating. He has more goals in his career before retirement. As for life after playing on the Tour, don’t expect him to go too far away from tennis…..
UBITENNIS: It wasn’t the outcome that you would have wanted but can you take any positives from your match against Andrey Rublev?
GOFFIN: It’s never easy to play against Rublev. He has been a top-10 player for a long time and has proved again that he has the firepower. It was a tough match. I had opportunities, especially in the third set when I was 4-1 up but he started to swing like crazy and hit the ball really well.
The level was high from both of us toward the end of the third set but unfortunately, things were turning in his favor. Then he played really well in the fourth.
Overall, it was a positive match for me. At Wimbledon, I won two matches to reach the third round again. I used this tournament to try and continue with the way I am playing and to raise my level further.
UBITENNIS: In recent months you have gone through difficulties with a knee injury sidelining you from the sport. What motivates you to keep wanting to play on the Tour after such an injury?
GOFFIN: It’s never easy to come back from an injury. It’s always easier to do so when you’re younger. When I was injured at 20 it was easy. I would just come back, hit the ball, and feel great after some practice sessions.
Now I am almost 33 and it is different. It takes more time and you have to trust the process with your team. The schedule and everything to make sure you come back 100 percent.
The last few years have not been easy. I was playing with pain in my knee all the time and checking with doctors if I needed surgery. I ended up continuing to play as my ranking was still there.
I used painkillers but for my head (mentality) and level, it was not good. Now, I’m just playing for those kinds of tournaments where I can have great matches like I did against Rublev at Wimbledon this year. This is why I wanted to come back. To have a few more years of playing a lot of good matches and enjoy playing on the court which is the thing I love the most.
UBITENNIS: How is the knee now? Are there still some ongoing issues?
GOFFIN: It’s completely fine, so I’m really happy. Hopefully, I can stay away from injury. We (my team) will continue to fight and find a way back into the top 100.
UBITENNIS: You said top 100 but do you think it is possible to return back into the top 50 or even top 20?
My goal is to be inside the top 50 and be seeded again for a Grand Slam. That would be great. I have the level to get there but I have to be more consistent. I can beat the top guys and if I stay consistent for months I know my ranking would be there (top 50).
Also, staying away from injury is another goal.
UBITENNIS: Further ahead, have you ever thought about what you want to do after your career as a tennis player ends?
GOFFIN: My focus at the moment is on tennis and after that, I don’t know. There are a few things in my mind such as staying in tennis by coaching or even as a tournament director, you never know.
We will see but I am not thinking about this at the moment.
UBITENNIS: Looking at Belgian tennis as a whole, there are currently no men in the top 100. Do you think you could play a role in the future development of the sport in your country? Would this be something of interest to you?
GOFFIN: We are a small country but the level of our academies and federation is really good. We have had amazing players like Clijsters and Henin. On the men’s Tour, we have had a lot of top 100 players, including myself. It is normal sometimes that there is a gap where you don’t have played in the top 100 but I am sure that some players will come back to the top in the world of tennis.
If I can help with this, we will see. Maybe I can do something with the federation or players. We have some young talent and really good teachers.
UBITENNIS: Finally, you have been on the Tour for 15 years. How would you describe the development of men’s tennis during this period?
GOFFIN: It’s strange to have 15 years on the Tour already, it has passed by in like a second.
It has changed a little bit. When I came on the Tour I was in the top 100 at the age of 20 and it was not easy at that stage when you are young. Now you have a new generation who are so fast, quick, and strong already. Players like Sinner, Alcaraz and Rune.
The Tour has also changed a little bit. All players have bigger teams than before. When I started on the Tour, having a physio and fitness coach on your team was only for the top players. Now all players have bigger teams and you can see they are all really physically fit.
Hopefully, I can stay on the Tour for a few more years to fight with these guys. Then it will be time to stop playing but not right now.
