Gabriel Diallo, the giant who was inspired by Djokovic and Nadal and already wins ATP titles

Carlos Navarro | 16 Jun 2025 | 13.02

Gabriel Diallo, with the title of champion in the Netherlands. Source: Getty

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Canadian tennis has grown rapidly in recent times. From Daniel Nestor to Felix Auger-Aliassime, thousands of young people from the North American country have started to have idols, role models, people to look up to, and who have inspired them to pick up a racket for the first time. In the case of Gabriel Diallo, just 23 years old, other names generated that itch to step onto a tennis court: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and some highlights from the 2012 Australian Open final that remained etched in the mind of young Gabriel. The next day, Diallo began a mission that involved buying the shirt Novak was wearing that day... but it extended until today, the day after his first ATP title.

He achieved this at the ATP s'Hertongenbosch 2025, on a surface, grass, completely unfamiliar to him in his formative years. However, a quick look at his physique and playing style and no one will be surprised: short-point tennis, with a deadly serve, a very fast forehand, and improved consistency from the baseline. His height (2.03 meters) is also hard to miss, a great asset on a court where striking first means striking twice.

The list of Diallo's victims during his dream week in the Netherlands is not trivial: specialists on fast courts like Ugo Humbert or Jordan Thompson, a circuit regular like Karen Khachanov, and the hope of another daring young man who also dreamed of winning for the first time (Zizou Bergs). The pressure was not enough to defeat Gabriel: it is not new to him, as he grew in tennis terms at the University of Kentucky, playing in teams and thriving in that 'college' environment where responsibility extends to your whole team.

AGGRESSIVE TENNIS, MULTICULTURALISM, AND A BEER AS CELEBRATION

Of Guinean father and Ukrainian mother, Diallo was about to lean towards handball: his mother had played internationally for her country's team, but that match between Djokovic and Nadal ultimately convinced the Canadian that it was racquet sports that filled his soul. "I am most grateful to my mother and father. I am aware of all they sacrificed so that I could be where I am today. They paused their dreams, took a risk by moving to Montreal to give me an opportunity, worked very hard. I try to repay them for everything they did for me by working at 100%, giving it my all every day."

His story, like that of many immigrants who traveled to Canada seeing it as a land of opportunities, aims to inspire many at home. Successes, for now, are not just about winning the first ATP title: Diallo is already a member of the top 50, achieving the goal he set for the end of the year in just six months. "By the end of the year, being #87 in the rankings, we started thinking about being in the top 50. Achieving it in June, with five more months of tennis ahead, is a great feeling, but we won't rest on our laurels; we will keep working to go further."

On grass, as we stated earlier, his tennis style is amplified: fresh, direct, short-point, turning into a hurricane that the opponent finds very difficult to stop. "I always try to be aggressive and make the opponent feel the pressure. 1-2 Tennis, although I also don't mind showing a bit of finesse and trying to extend the exchanges.", notes Diallo, who used short angles effectively to defeat Bergs in the final. Becoming more complete every day, his name is already a threat to many, and his words also show a maturity that can take him far.

"When I was in university, there was a lot of pressure from coaches or teammates; you want to do well not just for yourself, but for everyone. When you lose, it affects you a bit more than it should. So, I've learned in the professional circuit that you must ask yourself the right questions, both after a win and after a loss. Do not be afraid to evaluate where you are and what you're doing; don't get stuck in defeats.". And now that the victories have come, will there be a celebration? "Definitely, but just with a beer. I will spend time with my team; they will be super excited, and maybe they will have more, but I will stick to one. We will rest and head to Queen's." Let the celebration continue, Gabriel.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gabriel Diallo, el gigante que se inspiró en Djokovic y Nadal y ya gana títulos ATP