Alexis Galarneau dreamed of this moment for a long time. The Davis Cup is the most prestigious team tennis event in the world. Not only did he represent Canada there, but he also left his mark. The student has learned and hopes to one day be able to put the experience to good use.

Although Canada lost to the Netherlands by a shutout in the Davis Cup qualifying phase last week, Alexis Galarneau is fully satisfied with his experience. Especially since in his singles match, the first of the tournament, he almost caused a surprise.

From the outset, he faced the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 47^and world rank. Galarneau, fresh out of college, is 328^and global. Nevertheless, the Lavallois fought well, but lost the flag in two sets of 7-5 and 7-6. Who knows what might have happened if Canada had taken the first duel…

“It was a first match in the Davis Cup, so it would have been normal to be nervous and feverish. Obviously I was excited, but I think I handled it well,” explained the 23-year-old athlete, currently in training camp in Montenegro.

Galarneau served very well and came close to defeating his opponent in this contested duel on clay. It will have been a question of details. “I was on a mission. I’m just a little disappointed with the end of the match, because there are still four or five points where he served well and where I would have liked to take advantage of some good returns to give me a chance to take the upper hand. »

Despite everything, the Quebecer is aware that it was his baptism of fire and that Canada was the underdog in this duel. His goal was to gain experience, savor every moment and improve. In his opinion, it is mission accomplished.

Like at university

From 2016 to 2021, Alexis Galarneau played for the North Carolina State University Wolfpack. University also attended by quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers, NFL greats.

In the NCAA, the concept of team is essential. For a week, he felt like he was reliving what he had been through during his five seasons in college. His teammates Brayden Schnur, Peter Polansky, Steven Diez and coach Frank Dancevic have been excellent teachers and a huge source of motivation.

“They helped me not get overwhelmed by emotions and just live in the moment,” he said.

Moreover, this chemistry was reflected outside the field: “I had the impression that they were brothers. We always laughed a lot, especially at supper. We all got along really well and that kind of chemistry is rare, I think. »

Like a dream

Leaving aside the defeat, Galarneau felt privileged to be able to participate in the Davis Cup, a mythical competition, created in 1900, which has made tennis players dream for a long time.

The Laval resident was present during the Davis Cup in Montreal in September 2012. He had attended the duels between Canada and South Africa with his very good friend Félix Auger-Aliassime. He then had the chance to see Milos Raonic defend the colors of his country. Less than 10 years later, it was his turn to represent the maple leaf.

A viral initiation

Alexis Galarneau’s first experience at the Davis Cup will also remain significant because of his initiation.

During the last day of competition, he had to circle the field twice, shirtless, with drawings on his body, in Dutch clogs while wearing a huge Canadian flag as a cape. The crowd didn’t ask for so much and they got caught up in the game. Galarneau did her two laps to the applause and encouragement of the spectators.

The video quickly made the rounds on social media.

“At first, I was just supposed to go into the sea since we weren’t far away. I was supposed to go take a nice cold bath, but in the end it was too cold and it was not time to get sick. »

Things therefore evolved quickly: “On the last day of the match, Steven [Diez] told me to bring the Dutch clogs we had received at the club. So there, I was sure it was for initiation. So when it was known that the fifth game, which I was supposed to play, was not going to be played, the guys started to give one idea after another. I wanted to give a show. »

Galarneau isn’t the most expressive or talkative player, but it’s not every day that a dream comes true. So he decided to live the experience thoroughly. He is now a Davis Cup graduate.