Diallo Returns to Almaty Ready to Continue Growth

Last year at this time Gabriel Diallo was outside of the Top 100 and a largely unproven talent with very little ATP experience under his belt.
 
Fast forward a year and the 24-year-old Canadian returns to Almaty defending runner-up points as he closes in on the ATP’s Top 30. Ranked 35, the Canadian confidently dispatched 17-year-old Amir Omarkhanov for his 28th victory of the season on Monday.
 
He says he still needs to gain more experience on tour, but added that he used experience in his favor on Monday as he raced past his opponent with impressive clarity.
 
«It’s my third year now on tour,» Diallo said. «So I definitely have more experience than him, for sure, he's very young. I think in this case, experience helped, but I think I still have a lot to gain.»
 
Diallo was welcomed with open arms in Almaty last year, and even connected with a cousin who now lives in the area. This year he was eagerly looking forward to his return to Kazakhstan, where he says he feels at home. 
 
«It's always a special place for me,» he said. «Had a very good, good run last year. It's always fun to come back where you played really well in the previous years, so I'm happy to be back and looking forward to the next round.»
 
Since last year’s trip to the final, Diallo has not skipped a beat. He made his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Madrid in the spring, then claimed his maiden ATP title on the grass at ‘s-Hertogenbosch this summer.
 
«I think it goes a long way from having a good team and always believing in the process and doing the right things on and off the court, and just showing up every day and competing every match, as hard as I can – it goes a long way to for a career,» he said.
 
With renowned coach Martin Laurendau in his corner, the transition from playing tennis at the University of Kentucky to the pro game has come without too much friction. Diallo, who will face James Duckworth in the second round, says he benefits from his coach's calming presence and tennis IQ.
 
«He just has a lot of experience,» he said of Laurendau, who also guided Denis Shapovalov during his formative years. «You know, he was a player himself and he has been on tour for a while, so he’s seen a lot of tennis, and he's very aware of my game and what I need to do to keep improving.»
 
As far as game style goes, Diallo lets his awe-inspiring size and athleticism dictate. As one of the tallest players on tour (6’8» or 203 CM), he has modelled his game on former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic as well as other towering players. He serves big and transitions to the net with purpose.
 
A veritable force to be reckoned with, just like Raonic was in his heyday.
 
«Milos is one of the guys that I watched a lot playing, especially knowing that I was going to be tall,» he said. «Marin Cilic, Sam Querrey, Kevin Anderson, those are some of the guys that have led the way for top players. So I just try to try to play aggressive, try to come forward, and if I have to get into a rally, I won't be afraid.»
 
Though he gains confidence with each win he notches, Diallo is a student of his own game and says that oftentimes the losses are where the most valuable lessons come from. He cited his five-set loss to American Taylor Fritz as particularly informative.
 
«I had great results this year in the Masters, but I think I have some losses, which I learned a lot from, which shaped me and made me the player that I am now at this present moment,» Diallo says. «I think when you lose and it's hurting, you take more time to reflect on those matches.».