At the beginning of the season, Canada’s Gabriel Diallo aimed high, setting his sights on breaking into the top 50 of the world rankings by 2025.
And he’s already achieved that goal, with plenty of time left in the year!
This month, Diallo claimed his inaugural ATP Tour title and proudly stands at a personal-best ranking of No. 41. With Wimbledon just around the corner, he’s eager to capitalize on this momentum.
“He’s truly a formidable competitor on any surface,” noted coach Martin Laurendeau. “Gabriel has made a name for himself; many players would prefer not to face him due to his sheer power and impressive style of play.”
Standing tall at six-foot-eight, Diallo wields the strength to keep his opponents on the defensive while showcasing a finesse that keeps them guessing.
His diverse skill set was prominently featured during the recent 250-level tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Diallo triumphed over Russia’s Karen Khachanov and France’s Ugo Humbert—both ranking in the top 25—securing a coveted spot in the final. He ultimately defeated his good friend and Wimbledon doubles partner, Zizou Bergs of Belgium, with a scoreline of 7-5, 7-6 (8) to clinch the title.
Just the day after his victory, the 23-year-old Montreal native ascended 11 spots in the rankings to No. 44.
“He’s undoubtedly an explosive player,” praised Denis Shapovalov, one of three Canadians in the men’s singles draw. “His serving is exceptional, and he moves surprisingly well for someone of his stature.
“His improvements over the past couple of years have been remarkable.”
Alongside Diallo and Shapovalov, Felix Auger-Aliassime from Montreal will also join the 128-player singles draw.
In the women’s singles, Leylah Fernandez from Laval, Que., will compete alongside California native Carson Branstine, who represents Canada through family ties in Toronto.
Just last season, Diallo was participating in lower-tier Challenger events, where he faced an early exit in the second round of qualifying for the grass-court Grand Slam.
Laurendeau noted the adjustments Diallo has made on grass, effectively utilizing his power and finesse while maintaining the ability to adapt when necessary.
“He has a unique way of making opponents search for their rhythm, and he’s not yielding any ground,” he remarked from London. “This approach has proven effective for him.”
This year marks Diallo’s first complete season as a professional, coming on the heels of his debut at the National Bank Open and the Davis Cup in 2022.
Last October, he reached a 250-level final after defeating two top-40 players, though ultimately falling to Khachanov in a tightly contested three-set match.
Recently, Diallo made his mark on the 500-level circuit, competing at the HSBC Championships in London, where he was edged out in the round of 16 by the 30th-ranked Czech player, Jiri Lehecka. He then advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mallorca Championships, only to be defeated by 34th-ranked Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands.
In addition to his Grand Slam pursuits, Diallo is slated to participate in events in Washington, Toronto, and Cincinnati leading up to the fall Asian swing.
“Everything feels fresh and exciting for him,” Laurendeau added. “He’s dangerous and has already notched several wins against top-50 players.
“Once you achieve that, it opens up the possibility to go deep in tournaments.”
In doubles, world No. 5 Gabriela Dabrowski from Ottawa leads the charge for Canadian hopes at the All England Club. She recently returned to play alongside Erin Routliffe from New Zealand after a brief hiatus due to a rib issue.
The competition will run through July 13.
