It is not because one celebrates one’s birthday far from one’s homeland and one’s loved ones that one will necessarily be deprived of a beautiful gift. Talk to Quebec tennis player Alexis Galarneau.

On Wednesday, the young man from Laval celebrated his 23rd birthday in The Hague, the Netherlands, along with Brayden Schnur, Steven Diez, Peter Polansky and Frank Dancevic, the captain of the Canadian Davis Cup team, between others.

On the spot, Dancevic offered her an unexpected present, without wrapping paper or ribbon. He came at the end of a single sentence like “Alexis, you are going to play the first game of the Davis Cup on Friday”.

From its position at 332^and rank in the ATP World Rankings, Galarneau will try to help Canada win their qualifying duel against the Netherlands and get their ticket to the Davis Cup Finals, which will take place next fall.

Galarneau will face Botic van de Zandschulp, the best Dutch player by virtue of his 50^and rank in the world rankings, Friday afternoon (in the morning in Quebec).

“We had a meeting between the players with Frank. I didn’t even know it was about the line-up. I got there without expectation,” Galarneau said in a conversation with The Canadian Press on Thursday.

“Finally, Frank got straight to the point and he said, ‘For day 1, I’m going with Steven in singles number 1, then I’m going with Alexis in singles number 2.’ »

Galarneau recognizes it: instantly, he felt a shock when he heard the decision. Once the shock passed, he had to share his happiness.

“I didn’t expect to play. My teammates are super good players with experience. I had no expectation. I just wanted to enjoy my week, support my teammates and gain more experience. But there, being able to play, it changes my mentality a bit, and I’m super excited for this challenge, ”admitted Galarneau, who hastened to announce the good news to his parents, his two brothers and his sister. .

“They are super proud of me and I’m happy to be able to make them proud. That’s kind of why I play tennis,” he said.

Galarneau’s teammates were just as happy for him.

“Besides, after that, we went to dinner. Alain Beaupré, the team manager, organized a great surprise for me with a beautiful cake that we all ate together. It was a great evening that ended well. I will remember it for a long time. »

According to the preliminary schedule announced Thursday, Galarneau will play another singles match against Tallon Griekspoor (60^and), Saturday, while Diez must cross swords with van de Zandschulp, the same day.

As for Schnur and Polansky, their names are listed for the doubles match against Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop, scheduled for Saturday.

The games will be played on clay, a surface that Galarneau says he likes.

inspiring moment

Galarneau, who wore the colors of North Carolina State University for five years, from 2016 to 2021, will experience the Davis Cup for the first time in his career as a player.

In September 2012, Galarneau experienced this tournament in a different context, leaving him with lasting memories.

On this occasion, on the National Bank court of the Uniprix stadium, Canada fought against South Africa to remain in the Davis Cup World Group.

Canada won the match 4-1 with singles wins by twice Milos Raonic, Vasek Pospisil and Dancevic.

“I was there, with Félix (Auger-Aliassime) and Nicaise (Muamba). We were maybe 13 or 14 years old. We were seated a little behind the bench of the Canadians, we felt that we were part of the team and we were from the National Center (of Tennis Canada). For me, it was a defining moment,” admits Galarneau.

“It was the event, after the Rogers Cup, that had the most impact on my tennis, on my aspirations to become a professional player. And playing as a team, for me, is special, because I’m someone who likes to play as a team. And to represent my country is to play for more than yourself. That’s what I love about sports; playing for more than yourself,” he added.