By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday, July 3, 2022
David Goffin has had his share of injury issues over the last few seasons, but the former World No.7 is on the up again.
The Belgian, who entered Roland-Garros carrying a six-match losing streak at the Grand Slams, outlasted Frances Tiafoe’s in the longest match of Wimbledon 2022 on Sunday, 7-6(3), 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, to book a quarterfinal match with Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
“At the end I took my chance,” he said. “I was aggressive with the return. Very happy to win that one. It was a tough one, very tough one.”
Goffin has now reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in successive appearances, and he improves his lifetime record at the championships to 16-7.
“It means a lot. For me, it's almost like a back-to-back quarterfinal because I didn't play last year,” Goffin said. “2020 was closed with the COVID. The last time I played before this year was the quarterfinal against Novak on Centre Court.
“I was very excited to come back here because it's very important tournament for me because it's probably my favorite tournament of the year, place that I love, surface that I can play really well. I had some great results on that surface. It means a lot.”
Goffin, who notched his 300th win on tour earlier this season, is happy to be back in good health at the age of 31.
“Last year was a tough year for me with some injuries,” he said. “I stop for four or five months at the end of the year. At the beginning of the year I had to fight and stay positive to come back to my best level. The last few weeks or last few months was much better.
“To reach a quarterfinal again this year in Wimbledon means a lot, yes.”
Next up the Belgian will try to win on Centre Court for the first time. Norrie beat Goffin in their only previous meeting, in 2021, when the Belgian retired due to injury in the second set.
“I have another opportunity to play on Centre Court to try to have a win, finally to have a win on Centre Court. I didn't have any chances. I had Murray and I had Djokovic. Not easy.”