At Roland Garros,
Failing to shine in the big picture, French tennis is definitely doing very well among juniors at Roland-Garros. For the second consecutive year, a young Frenchie won the category this Saturday. Gabriel Debru, 16, masterfully won his final against Belgian Gilles Arnaud Bailly (7-6, 6-3). He succeeds Luca van Assche, who emerged victorious in the 100% French duel in the final last year against Arthur Fils.
The young Isérois was able to count on the noisy public of the Simonne-Mathieu court, where many friends and family members had taken place, to offer himself the greatest victory of his budding career. “It was incredible to play in front of such a crowd. It’s Roland-Garros what! I dreamed of it since I was 5 years old, ”he reacted a few minutes later at a press conference. To celebrate, he even got his personal Marseillaise. “It was cool, really. These are unforgettable moments. »
Now, he knows, the hardest part begins for Debru. He is the 14th French player to win Roland in this category, the sixth since the year 2000. Not all of them have managed to take the plunge on the ATP circuit, but the examples of Paul-Henri Mathieu, Richard Gasquet or Gaël Monfils can be inspiring. The Frenchie does not set limits. “The goal is to win (major tournaments) also among the pros, he announces without flinching. I will do everything for. »
Advantaged by his height (1.95m), Debru has a very good serve and a powerful forehand. Two strengths to develop to see further. “I will try to go further. I have to work on my percentage of first serves, and send more forehand, he explains. And then do the physical, too, because to play pro it is essential. »
The baccalaureate in two weeks
Victorious among the juniors at only 16 years old, the young man is in any case on interesting passage times. “The goal is to go very high, and when you want to go very high, I would say that you have to play at least at that level at 16 and after that, it goes quickly, tempered his coach Boris Vallejo. in The Team Saturday morning. You have to see the level of Alcaraz at 18…” Far from being late, but not ahead, therefore.
The next few months will be instructive. On the program for Debru, Wimbledon juniors, then Futures and Challengers tournaments in France. Before that, all the same, there is… the baccalaureate, in two weeks. From Monday, it is therefore revisions. “It’s not going to be easy to go back to schoolwork,” he says with a smile. I do not guarantee anything, but I will give my best, like on this Roland! That should be fine, then.