Of course June 6 is the day of a historic event in France, but for me June 4 and 5 also go into the books forever. Saturday, June 4, Sam Schroeder and I won the doubles! In the final match we defeated Heath Davidson and Ymanitu Silva twice 6-2.
I did not have much time for exuberant celebrations, a tour of the Champs-Élysées and a tribute on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. For later in the day, the singles final awaited. Once again I shared the court with Sam, but with one important difference: this time there was a net hanging between us.
Bloodcurdling
I had no time to be tense, but I heard from the spectators that it was blood-curdling. I took the first set, 6-4. The second set was a completely different story. Four breaks back and forth and finally a tiebreak.
Rain
As if it wasn't exciting enough, rain god Pluvius came to interfere for a moment, at a 0-2 deficit in the tiebreak. It was raining, unfortunately no sunbeams, and the match was called off. I was very disappointed, because I would have preferred to finish it right away. But anyway, betting a challenge was pointless.
The next morning it came right after all, although I needed some chances to do so. On the eighth match point, it was finally bingo, or as they say in Helmond, kien.
My cry of joy could be heard, I think, as far away as the Pyrenees. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life and I will never forget it!
Photo: Clement Mahoudeau/FFT