‘Didn’t Know What I Was Doing’ – David Goffin Remembers Getting Beaten by Idol Roger Federer in His Debut French Open

David Goffin, the Belgian tennis ace, has been playing professional tennis since 2009. He has marked six career titles under his name and has achieved the career highest ranking of World No.7 up till now. Further, Goffin has had runs till the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon championship, French Open, and Australian Open. Also, he made it up to the last 16 of the 2020 US Open. However, in August 2021, he suffered an injury to his knee, which slowed him down.

Though it looks like he is gaining the lost momentum as he claimed his sixth career title in Marrakech last month. Currently, he is testing his luck in the ongoing clay-based Grand Slam. The Belgian has secured a seat in the last 32 of the tournament by defeating the American tennis professional Frances Tiafoe in the second round. Thereafter, while addressing the press, Goffin took a small trip down the memory lane.

David Goffin speaks about his Idol

Goffin was in a reflective mood after winning the second round at the French Open. He recalled his first appearance in Paris and the match against his idol, Roger Federer. As he said, “It’s 10 years’ difference, but completely different, different body, I would say first, because if you see the images, I’m not the same guy. So many tournaments, so many experiences between 2012 and 2022 in 10 years.”

“It was just a match that I didn’t know what I was doing, just hitting the ball against Roger, my idol. Now, I have more maturity, more experience. I know exactly what I’m doing.” He added.

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The Belgian met Federer in the third round of the 2012 French Open. Although he failed to secure a win against the 20 times Grand Slam champion, he slipped the first set out of Federer’s hand by 7-5.

Who is Goffin’s next opponent?

The 31-year-old is pitted against the Polish tennis ace and former World No.9 Hubert Hurkacz. He will lock horns with the 25-year-old for a position in the last 16 of the Roland Garros. In the second round’s post match conference, Goffin spoke about Hurkacz in a positive light and said, “Hubi is such a nice guy, we practise together in Monaco. We played a really good match in Rome. It was a very hard match.”

Thereafter, he added, “He’s moving well for a big guy. He can slide on the clay, serving bombs, has a really huge kick and forehand after that. It’s not an easy match, but we have a chance, for sure, because I won the last match in Rome.”

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The third round tussle between Goffin and Hurkacz is scheduled to take place on 28th May. We will have to wait till then to see Goffin’s experience being tested against the Pole.