Gabriel Diallo was heading to his training site when he answered the video call from The Press. Sitting in the back seat of a car, the 24-year-old gave instructions to the driver. It was Friday morning in Melbourne. Thursday evening in Quebec. A little over 48 hours before Diallo begins the first major tournament of his career without Martin Laurendeau, his coach for the last five years.

A little over a week ago, Diallo announced the end of his association with Laurendeau. United since the end of Diallo’s internship at the University of Kentucky, Laurendeau and the gentle giant have left each other on good terms, specifies the 41^e world ranking player.

A few weeks ago, the two men met to discuss their future. And according to Diallo, it was better that their respective paths took different paths. “It wasn’t easy,” explains the Montrealer about said conversation.

“He is someone who has been vital in my career, in my personal life. It wasn’t an ideal conversation, but we think it was in both of their best interests. »

Diallo swam in the waters of the 1000^e place in the world rankings when Laurendeau took him under his wing. Since then, the 6’8″ player has continued to progress, becoming one of the greatest projects in Canadian tennis. Last year, Diallo reached 33^e world place. He also won his first title on the ATP circuit, in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

“We had a nice run together. He helped me enormously in my transition to the professionals. It ended well. We still get along very well. He will always remain someone important to me and he will remain close to me and my family. I wish him the best. »

Learn differently

In the car, Diallo wore the jersey of a German soccer team. He didn’t know what training it was. We pointed out to him, however, that the blue and yellow sweater mainly represented the colors of the native country of his two new coaches, the Swedes Johan Örtegren and Jonas Björkman. The first notably trained Grigor Dimitrov. The second has already sat at the top of the world doubles rankings.

“They are trying to convince me that Sweden is a bigger hockey nation than Canada. We have a problem,” says Diallo, laughing. With “a team full Sweden,” as he described it, there will be “a period of adaptation.” Especially since the season begins with a grand slam tournament.

“I am aware of that, even if I want to perform, to play well, to win lots of matches and to climb the rankings. This may not necessarily be reality. I am aware of this period. »

Reached by telephone, Valérie Tétreault, director of the Omnium Banque Nationale, agrees. “We must not underestimate the period of adjustments that it requires when we change coaches. Maybe they will have a new philosophy. We don’t want to completely distort Gabriel’s game, because he’s very successful and we know his game. It’s focused on power. »

According to her, like when new managers take over a company, “they want to show why they were hired and they will want to add their little touch. But if there is one in recent years who never ceases to surprise us, it is Gabriel. His greatest quality is his fighting spirit. Just that leads him to win big matches.”

The challenge

There are 128 players in the main draw of the Australian Open. And among all this contingent, the draw determined that Diallo would face Alexander Zverev, third in the world, in the first round. The meeting will take place this Saturday evening, Quebec time.

Since tennis players hate talking about their opponents and their strategies before a match, we asked Diallo how he would prepare, hypothetically, if he had to face a player from the top 5 from the first round of a major tournament.

Well aware of our ploy, Diallo turned his head from left to right as he replied: “I don’t see what we’re talking about here. »

More seriously, the Quebecer seemed excited by the challenge that awaited him. Even if, unsurprisingly, he would have preferred to face a lower ranked opponent to be able to start his tournament gradually.

“It’s a big challenge,” he admits. But that’s what we train for. That’s why we put in the hours, especially here in Australia when everyone comes back from pre-season. I will play on a bigger field, there will be a big atmosphere and I will play against a very good quality player. The challenge is high, but when we pick up our first racket at the age of 5 or 6 and watch the players on TV on the big center, we dream of being there. And that’s where I am. »

His game plan, therefore, “is to enjoy it, have fun and play quality tennis”.

Start off on the right foot

Zverev and Diallo have never crossed swords. In his career, the Montrealer has lost his four matches against players from top 5. Three times, however, he forced his rival to play a final round.

And in this context, it will be difficult to analyze or judge Diallo’s result. Especially in Australia. Mainly because there are two ways to evaluate players’ performance in this tournament.

Some will say that this is the first major tournament of the season and that the table is wide open, since the best players are not quite at the level yet. Others will argue that since everyone starts from scratch and most athletes arrive healthy, the best must show their superiority and win.

“At every grand slam tournament, everyone wants to perform. But we are at the beginning of the year. The year is long. You take the matches as they are,” notes Diallo.

“You try to get out of blocks pretty explosively and quickly. But I also don’t have to worry if things don’t go the way I want or if I perform below expectations. The year is long, I will have plenty of opportunities to perform and get matches. »

In addition, Diallo will no longer be able to count on the surprise effect of recent seasons. He has climbed the rankings, the players know him and know too well that with his power, he can compete with higher ranked players.

New year, new team, new expectations for Diallo. “So I can’t wait to see where this all takes me.” »