The hours have passed at lightning speed for Alexis Galarneau since his triumph in Granby. Luckily, there’s nothing like coming home to stop time.
It was a day of celebration in Laval, like every day. Monday, at the Carrefour multisports, along Highway 440, Alexis Galarneau had gathered the most important people of his entourage, as well as people from the public, to celebrate Canada’s triumph at the Davis Cup last December.
In a closed and glazed display, like the most prestigious works of a museum, the precious silver salad bowl reigned over the indoor tennis courts transformed into a reception room.
Humble by nature and more at home in the dark than in the light, Galarneau was a little nervous when guests arrived.
“I don’t really like it,” he replied between short sips of water.
If he wasn’t thrilled, it wasn’t because he didn’t like the event, on the contrary. It was more the idea of being the center of attention. “I want to focus on the Davis Cup. It’s still a big moment that we lived in the history of Canadian tennis. If I can inspire one or two kids to play tennis or keep dreaming, well, I’m happy. »
Galarneau brought the trophy to Laval because that’s where he grew up and where he learned to be the athlete he became.
The 24-year-old player, 192nd in the world rankings, is aware of the immense contribution of each of the people who have crossed his path since his debut in Laval tennis.
He repeats it almost in each of his interviews, but if he can live his dream, it is mainly because his loved ones have sacrificed theirs. “It’s fun to be here, it allows me to remember where I come from and to prove that tennis is not just about competing, but about giving back and trying to inspire young people. »
Last week, Galarneau won the most significant title of his career, at the Granby Challenger. In front of family and friends, he managed to break into the top 200 for the first time.
Since then, he has obtained a pass for the National Bank Open in Toronto and went to qualify for the tournament in Washington.
“It was this morning, precisely, that I realized everything that had happened in the past few weeks,” he confessed.
His title has grown tremendously. More than he expected, he admitted. His match in the final was televised, the media flocked to Estrie to see him play and he made the headlines of just about every sports newscast.
At the end of his sentence, a young boy handed him a pencil and a ball, asking him for an autograph. Even if the kid was to be 15 years his junior, he was familiar with the star of the day. Because even if Galarneau will never deny his last name, for Laval residents, he will remain eternally just Alexis.
On Friday, Galarneau will fly to Toronto, not by plane, but thanks to the wings provided by his victory in Granby.
With his recent success and all the attention of the last few days, this is, he admits, a “double-edged sword”, since he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone.
He heard from Guillaume Marx, head of high performance at Tennis Canada, the news about getting his spot at the Canadian Open.
It was Wednesday morning during the Granby tournament. “I didn’t tell anyone around me just to keep everyone focused on the task at hand. I feel like I was on a mission that week,” he recalled.
This show of confidence, and approval, from Tennis Canada in his regard confirms to him that he is “on the right track”. “It gives you confidence. »
Galarneau will show up in Toronto, probably on center court, with clear intentions: “I think it’s realistic to say two or three rounds and even not put a limit on yourself. »
From Granby to Toronto via Washington and Laval, Galarneau has dragged trophies and praise. He carries in his backpack more and more experience, but above all he has more admirers each time he puts down his suitcases. At least, at home in Laval, he is received as a hero whose identity we know very well.
His smile was there before the glory. And it’s a safe bet that he will still be there when all that is behind him.
