"I already felt my heartbeat getting a bit higher": David Goffin bursts out in tears at final Roland Garros
ATPMonday, 18 May 2026 at 23:00
David Goffin back in 2012 a late addition as a lucky loser at Roland Garros shone as he took a set off Roger Federer and left his idol purring at his level.
But heading towards the end of his career, the now 35-year-old will end his campaign at the end of the season and he wound back the clock to down former junior champion Tseng Chun-Hsin 6-3, 6-1.
Goffin appeared tearful post match and was getting emotional as he harked back to the moment he first stepped onto the court. "This victory means a lot to me. In 2012, I was already on this court at 21 years old, it was where I took my first steps, and to see myself in my final year facing a packed stadium in the qualifiers, with an incredible atmosphere... Thank you all," said Goffin on court.
He later reflected off court about the moment and said that walking back onto that court really did tug at his heartstrings as it could've been the final time.
“Today, everything was there – the level was there, the emotion was there,” Goffin told rolandgarros.com. “It was not easy at the beginning of the match when I heard my name, when I stepped on the court. I already felt my heartbeat getting a bit higher. At the end I played really well and the speech at the end was a lot of emotions.
“It was an amazing moment for me, something that I've never felt on the court in my career.”
Looks back to Federer tie
He further harked back to that match against Federer and said that it gave him the boost he needed to become the successful pro he was as he ends his career this year as he cannot reach his former level anymore. "It was something special to play again on that court because it's a court that in 2012 I played my first match against Roger Federer and it was a big boost in my career,” he said.
“After that, I felt that it gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of my career. To finish again, to play the qualies again, it's funny because I told my coach the last time I played the qualies here I ended up playing the fourth round against Roger.
“Roger is not here anymore but we play match after match and I'm happy that I have another match.”
He played at the ATP Finals and was a top 10 star but Goffin got beset by injuries, and it is reflecting back rather than looking forward unfortunately now. “I think I gave everything to raise my potential at the highest and I think that was the case,” he said.
“I think physically and especially like around 2017-2018, when I was top 10, when I played also the Davis Cup [final] at the end, I think it was the best level I've ever played at the end of the year, and the ATP Finals.”
David Goffin feeling emotional after his win but still making some jokes 👏🇧🇪#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/3h8xCSt3VT
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 18, 2026
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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