Who is Gabriel Diallo, the quarterfinalist-surprise in the Madrid tour, who also played at the iaciriac Open
Article by Luminița Paul – published on Thursday, 01 May 2025, 15:45 / Updated Thursday, 01 May 2025 15:49
Canadian Gabriel Diallo (23 years old, 78th in the world) advanced in the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid, after saving three match balls in front of Grigor Dimitrov (33 years old, number 16 ATP) and imposed with 5-7, 7-6 (7), 6-4.
An unexpected presence, unique between the first 8 on the main table of Masters 1000 from Madrid, this can be labeled Gabriel Diallo. The one who remarkably kept his emotions in the brake against the experienced Grigor Dimitrov, a former world number.
The Canadian returned the match from Set and 5-3 for Bulgarian, the latter having three match balls in the second set.
Gabriel Diallo: “Honestly, I thought I would go home”
“Honestly, I thought I would go home,” Diallo said after the party ended. “It seemed to me that the margins were so thin. It might be the best performance at work I have ever shown in my life. I was lucky that I got the point at 4-6 with his unforced error, and then I was very confident at 5-6 behind my service ”, he revised the route from Tie-break.
“Then I saved another match ball … Tennis has ups and downs, so you just have to try to do it. Fortunately, now I managed to turn and win the match”Diallo pointed out, the one who entered the main panel like Lucky Loser, after losing in the last round of qualifications in front of Borna Coric.
The presence in the quarterfinals in Madrid provides a jump of 25 places in the Live ATP standings, up to 53, for what will be the best career position for the Canadian player. For a place in the semifinals, he is about to face Lorenzo Musetti (23 years old, 11th place).
Gabriel Diallo's Epic Madrid Ride 🎢
Apr. 22: Loses in Last Round of Qualies
Apr. 24: Enters MD AS Lucky Loser
Apr. 26: Scheduled to Play Alcaraz in R2, Faces Lucky Loser Majchrzak Intead
Apr. 29: RALLIES FROM A SET DOWN VS. Norrie
Apr. 30: Saves 3 MP's vs. Dimitrov#Mmopen pic.twitter.com/hbxfmncamw– Tennis TV (@tennistv) April 30, 2025
Gabriel Diallo also played at iaciriac Open
Diallo had oscillating results in season 2025, reaching round 2 at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami, but even more during European slag tournaments. His first appearance on the red surface this year was in Bucharest, at Tiriac Open, where he stopped in the second round.
However, it created serious problems for the main favorite, the Argentine Sebastian Baez, who won 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-2 in a match played during two days due to rain.
Then, in the Masters 1000 contest from Monte Carlo, it stopped in the 1st Qualifications round, in the ATP 500 from Barcelona in the second round of the preliminaries, managing to tick a much deeper path on the Madrid painting.
He also had luck with the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz, favorite 2, after the painting had been established, so eliminated in a row on Zizou Bergs (Belgium), 6-1, 6-2, Kamil Majchrzak (Poland), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, Cameron Norris (M. Britain), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, “Optima”.
Summary of the match Gabriel Diallo – Grigor Dimitrov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msf4jehazka
Diallo remembered for the ATP website how he started missing more from school to go to tennis training and tournaments when he was 10 years old. At that time, the parents talked to him and explained that he was in a different situation for colleagues because of sport.
“They asked me what I think about it. I thought and did not see the situation as a sacrifice, because I liked it very much,” said Diallo. “I liked to train and I liked to play.”
From an early age, Diallo dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. “I always wanted to win slams. Every child goes through this phase“He said.
Gabriel Diallo in action at Madrid Photo: Imago Images
About that period, Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in an unforgettable five-hour and 53-minute final at Australian Open, in 2012. “I remember trying to play like him and mimic his slip and move and not miss the ball“Diallo recalled.”I and my friends then try to recreate that match, actually”.
The Canadian, whose father is from Guinea and whose mother is from Ukraine, played tennis at the University of Kentucky before becoming a professional at the end of 2022.
1It is the number of ATP finals played by Gabriel Diallo, the one from Alma Aty 2024, lost in front of Russian Karen Khachanov
Gabriel Diallo already had 1.91 m at 17
Up to 17 years old Diallo reached a height of 1.91 m. Every year since then it has grown gradually until its growth has been complete, according to doctors, having now 2.03 m.
“There are so many ways to play tennis, there are guys who feel comfortable moving from side to side and just trying to counterattack. There are guys that develop by playing like that. And are guys who are completely opposite, like me“, Diallo said for the same source.
“I play the best and I have the most chances when I take the game to the opponent, when I try to disturb as much as I can. Obviously, I do not try to rhythm. And it is a high risk, but it is also a big reward. I think I feel the best and play best,” said Gabriel, who is trained by Martin Laure. Davis of Canada.
Gabriel Diallo and his girlfriend, Fiona Arrese Photo: Instagram
Outside the field, Diallo is just like many young people of his age. He likes TV movies and shows, as well as to spend time with his friends and girlfriend. The Canadian also likes the beach and swimming, as well as to eat. His favorites include pizza, a good burger and a good steak.
