David Goffin, the Portrait: “Impossible is nothing”
David Goffin entered into the history of tennis after defeating Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, at the London 2017 ATP Finals.
“It is the best victory of my career, it is certain,” said David Goffin still overwhelmed following his victory against Roger Federer, his childhood idol. David’s presence at the London 2017 ATP Finals was considered as unexpected for some. Two weeks ago, nobody would think of such an accomplishment.
This score is also a victory for Belgian tennis.
David Goffin was born on 7 December 1990 in Liège, Belgium to Michel and Francoise. His father is a tennis coach at the Barchon Club in Liege. Goffin started playing tennis with his father from the age of six and displayed exceptional talent. His father then started mentoring him and became his first coach. Back in the day, Goffin idolized Roger Federer.
Early Life
He did not play many tournaments while he was a junior. As a junior, David Goffin played only two slams; French Open and Wimbledon. He reached a rank of 10 while playing in the junior category.
He played his first ATP in 2011 in Chennai Open and won his first match in ATP tour by defeating Somdev Devvarman. He, however, lost in the second round.
Goffin got his first ever breakthrough in 2012. For the first time, he reached the quarterfinals at Chennai Open in ATP World Tour tournament. At French Open in 2012, David got lucky and despite not qualifying, he got an entry after the withdrawal of Gaël Monfils. After this lucky entry, he won all the 3 rounds but lost to Roger Federer during the 4th one.
Still in 2012, he entered the ATP Top-100. An highway to acquire more and more notability. In 2016, he reached the semi-finals at the Indian Wells tournament after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka (4th ranked-player at that time).
2017 is surely the best year for David Goffin. The list is impressive. He defeated Andy Murray (1st of the ATP rank at the beginning of the current year), Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic (2nd during the Monte-Carlo tournament) and won the Japan Open. He then entered the Top-8 and qualified to the London 2017 ATP Finals, which is only open to the 8 best players across the World.
Since the beginning of this competition, he was considered as an outsider. But he defeated Rafael Nadal. And then Grigor Dimitrov. And then Dominic Thiem.
Last Saturday, he surprised the world with his victory against Federer (2-6, 6-3, 6-4). Following this incredible performance, David Goffin is now ranked as the 7th player of the World.
