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ROLAND GARROS – At age 27, it was a long time coming.
But Canadian Alexis Galarneau will play the biggest match of his career Thursday, in the qualfying at Roland Garros.
If he can beat 19-year-old rising Italian Federico Cina, he will make the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
“It’s a big match. Looking forward to it; it’s a round I’ve never played. For me, it’s exciting, to try to take it on. To be excited and brave in my match and go after it,” Galerneau said. “It would be another step in the goals I have had in place for a long time now. It’s also a confirmation that the work is being rewarded. And that’s why we play tennis, for ambiances like yesterday and today. If I put the right effort and intentions into it, the results will come.”
This is the 10th time the Laval native has tried to qualify for a major, going back to his debut at the Australian Open in 2023 after an outstanding collegiate career at North Carolina State.
Only three times – against Ryan Peniston that year in Melbourne, against Manuel Guinard of France at Wimbledon in 2024 and again the next year on the grass against American Murphy Cassone, has he even gotten to the second round.
Now, he’s in the third and final round after a pair of comeback wins that, to be frank, were opportunities he has let slip away at times in his career. But this week, he was bold.
The first comeback victory came in the first round against Argentina’s Alex Barrena, ranked No. 192 and so about the same level – and also similarly undersized compared to the modern prototype at 5-foot-9.
Except Barrena, who was making his Grand Slam qualifying debut, is a dedicated clay-courter who rarely steps off that surface.
Galarneau had to save two match points during a 9 1/2 minute game at 5-6 in the third set to force the match tiebreak, which he pulled off 10-7.
Round 2: another dirtballer
The second round on Thursday meant a similar opponent – another 23-year-old, relatively undersized South American clay aficionado, although one whose emotions were much more on display.
Boscardin Dias (generously listed at 5-foot-11, as is Galarneau), close to his career-best ranking at No. 232 and also a full-time competitor on the South American clay-court Challenger circuit, also was making his Grand Slam qualifying debut.
He even had more heralded countrywoman Beatriz Haddad Maia out to support.
But Galarneau, perhaps in part because he’s a francophone, had a huge cheering section on Court 5.
And it all came down to a game at 3-2 in the third set, with Galarneau up a break and looking to consolidate. But he was also running out of energy.
The game lasted close to … 18 minutes. Galarneau had to save seven break points. And he finally held on his third game point. Had he let that one get away from him, it’s unlikely he would have been able to pull it out.
But he did, winning it 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“I think it’s part of tennis, to accept the hights and lows. Especially on clay. It’s easy to be dominated on a point, and the serve is less of a factor. And there’s a little fatigue. One minute you’re in better shape, then the other guy is. It’s really a battle,” Galarneau said. “I got through with the help of the crowd. And also, you try to not listen to yourself too much. We always have a little more left in the tank than we think. So I’m happy to have dug to the max.”
Here’s how it looked:
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A long road
Galarneau was a hot shot as a kid, in the same class at Tennis Canada’s national training program in Montreal as his great friend Félix Auger-Aliassime.
But while Auger-Aliassime blossomed into a genuine phenom, being in the “youngest ever to since” category with names like Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet, Galarneau didn’t end up 6-foot-4 and ripped. And he had to take the longer route.
Smartly, he chose to go to college and get an education along with his tennis at North Carolina State.
That, however, was the kiss of death with Tennis Canada at the time (they have since joined the 21st century and are offering more support to players who choose the college route before trying to make it as professionals).
And the pandemic coming right in the middle of it all didn’t help.
It’s been awhile now since Tennis Canada gave him any assistance all, even to underwrite a coach on the road for big tournaments despite being the No. 4 player in the country. He has, however, earned some money answering his country’s call for Davis Cup.
So he has to be smart, budget well, pay to have a coach there when the payoff can be greatest – like this week.
Despite being 27, he has noticeably improved over the last few years.
“I think it’s maturity, and continuing to improve, trying to optimize my performances. More consistency. More intentionality coming into each match. And clearer intentions in the important moments,” he said. “I’m a little more aggressive. I know if I want to get to the next level I have to be bit more aggressive. It’s not good enough to stay the same without making any changes. I feel like I’m braver, come to the net a little more. Physically I’m adding a little mass.”
The contrast in this final round couldn’t be greater.
Cina is from a nation, Italy, that is producing a bumper crop of players these days. He had four men in the stands (including coac/father Francesco) supporting him during his 6-2, 6-4 win over Bernard Tomic in the second round.
Represented by IMG, he has gotten a number of wild cards into big tournaments. He is getting every opportunity, buoyed by a national led by the all-world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Cina (almost a homonym!) broke into the top 300 about a year ago, and got inside the top 200 for a week back in March. But it’s not been a rocketing rise; the next level is waiting for him even with all the backing behind him.
But when the first ball is struck, the playing field is essentially level.
“Everyone has their journey. Once the match starts, all those things don’t count any more, and it’s a battle. I’m looking forward to it,” Galarneau said.