Alexis Galarneau wins first ATP Challenger Championship
7/24/2023 4:11:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Former NC State All-American jumps to new ranking of 162
RALEIGH, NC – Former NC State tennis player Alexis Galarneau picked up his biggest professional win to date after defeating Philip Sekulic of Australia 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the Granby National Bank Championships.
It was the first ATP Challenger title for the 24-year-old from Laval, Quebec. With the win, Galarneau achieved a career-high ranking of No. 162. The ranking allows Galarneau a direct entry into the qualifying draw at the U.S. Open later this summer.
"I've been playing really good tennis for the last three, four months now, working on some specific stuff that's finally starting to show on the court," Galarneau said.
He spent five years in Raleigh, leaving town with a school record 65-36 mark in singles and doubles record of 60-30.
Galarneau, a two-time All-American for the Wolfpack, was a member of Canada's first ever Davis Cup World Championship team. It was the second Challenger Championship final for Galarneau, who finished as the runner-up last year.
His experience on that stage the previous season, played a huge part in his success this time around.
"I think my first time around I was a little bit too excited about it," Galarneau said. "This time I did not make that mistake again. I really focused on the stuff that I can control."
That 'stuff' included his preparation, his game plan, and preparing himself for anything to happen.
"You don't control how you're going to play, whatsoever," Galarneau said. "I embrace that. And again, that's why I had a good week, my approach was right on."
Lately, Galarneau feels he's been more aggressive in his play, building on his skills as a good baseline player. At the Challenger event, he put an emphasis on trying to finish points off at the net.
When times got tight versus Sekulic, Galarneau was able to tap into his time with the Pack for some inspiration.
"I was in the third set at two all and I felt like I needed a little bit more energy," Galarneau said. "It really felt like a college atmosphere at some point, when I took notice of that I just told myself, let's try to enjoy it like it's an NC State match. I'm comfortable in those situations. Those moments at State prepared me for a big finals."
Wolfpack head coach Kyle Spencer said what tennis fans are witnessing is "a young player going through the grind and finally figuring things out."
"I'm super impressed with Alexis' performance not only in the final of the ATP Challenger but also throughout the week," Spencer said. "He is in professional tennis for the long game, and he continues to maximize his strengths without taking short cuts. The future is bright."
Galarneau won't have long to celebrate his first big-time win, as he'll be right back on the court this week training for another event coming up.
Saturday he'll play in the ATP 500 in Washington, DC. before play at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
There have been times in his professional career where Galarneau hasn't been sure if the big payoff was coming, but his most recent win proves the grind is paying off.
"I've been putting in the right work and the intentional work for this to happen," Galarneau said. "And yeah, obviously, it's an up and down season, I think that's just tennis. That's how it is."
@PackMensTennis | #PackRisin
It was the first ATP Challenger title for the 24-year-old from Laval, Quebec. With the win, Galarneau achieved a career-high ranking of No. 162. The ranking allows Galarneau a direct entry into the qualifying draw at the U.S. Open later this summer.
"I've been playing really good tennis for the last three, four months now, working on some specific stuff that's finally starting to show on the court," Galarneau said.
He spent five years in Raleigh, leaving town with a school record 65-36 mark in singles and doubles record of 60-30.
Former NC State All-American @tennisgalarneau talks about winning his first ATP Challenger on his home turf.#PackRisin 📈 pic.twitter.com/Zb30Uaew9Z
— NC State Men's Tennis 🐺🎾 (@PackMensTennis) July 24, 2023
Galarneau, a two-time All-American for the Wolfpack, was a member of Canada's first ever Davis Cup World Championship team. It was the second Challenger Championship final for Galarneau, who finished as the runner-up last year.
His experience on that stage the previous season, played a huge part in his success this time around.
"I think my first time around I was a little bit too excited about it," Galarneau said. "This time I did not make that mistake again. I really focused on the stuff that I can control."
That 'stuff' included his preparation, his game plan, and preparing himself for anything to happen.
"You don't control how you're going to play, whatsoever," Galarneau said. "I embrace that. And again, that's why I had a good week, my approach was right on."
Lately, Galarneau feels he's been more aggressive in his play, building on his skills as a good baseline player. At the Challenger event, he put an emphasis on trying to finish points off at the net.
When times got tight versus Sekulic, Galarneau was able to tap into his time with the Pack for some inspiration.
"I was in the third set at two all and I felt like I needed a little bit more energy," Galarneau said. "It really felt like a college atmosphere at some point, when I took notice of that I just told myself, let's try to enjoy it like it's an NC State match. I'm comfortable in those situations. Those moments at State prepared me for a big finals."
Wolfpack head coach Kyle Spencer said what tennis fans are witnessing is "a young player going through the grind and finally figuring things out."
"I'm super impressed with Alexis' performance not only in the final of the ATP Challenger but also throughout the week," Spencer said. "He is in professional tennis for the long game, and he continues to maximize his strengths without taking short cuts. The future is bright."
Galarneau won't have long to celebrate his first big-time win, as he'll be right back on the court this week training for another event coming up.
Saturday he'll play in the ATP 500 in Washington, DC. before play at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
There have been times in his professional career where Galarneau hasn't been sure if the big payoff was coming, but his most recent win proves the grind is paying off.
"I've been putting in the right work and the intentional work for this to happen," Galarneau said. "And yeah, obviously, it's an up and down season, I think that's just tennis. That's how it is."
@PackMensTennis | #PackRisin
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