Meet the Belgian star who is quietly building a great resume on tour

(Getty/Virginie Lefour)

Before August last year, Raphael Collignon might not have been a name that was too familiar to many in the tennis world. But in August, he launched himself onto the world stage with a stunning upset of Casper Ruud at the US Open last year, winning in five sets over the former runner-up. 

Then, in September, the Belgian star really made a name for himself with a victory in Sydney over Alex de Minaur while cramping during Davis Cup qualifying before backing it up to win the tie in the decisive fifth rubber for Belgium. 

Collignon has proved that he can take big scalps on all surfaces, too, with a win over Ben Shelton in this year's Roland Garros proving that this is a player who is meant for the big stage. 

After winning the Davis Cup tie in Sydney last year, Collignon said that his goal was to play at the same level on tour each week. 

"I try to play my best tennis every week. It's great to beat great players, but you have to be very consistent all year. I will try to keep this level all the time, at every tournament, every week. That's the goal, and we'll try to do that for the rest of the season," said Collignon to The First Serve during Davis Cup last year. 

"I feel the confidence growing. I try to believe in myself more and more every day because of those victories, so I try to keep it going."

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Indeed, Collignon has become more consistent this year with two Challenger-level titles and victories over Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane. He has also pushed Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Arnaldi in his Grand Slam losses this year, but his physicality has ultimately been the cause of both losses, which is part of the reason that his coach and Davis Cup captain Steve Darcis said there is still a lot more to come from the 24-year-old.

"I don't know where [his] limit is. I know he has great potential. He can be a much better player than he is now, but he needs a bit of time, and he's following the right path, I think," Darcis told The First Serve. 

Collignon is clearly a player who thrives on atmosphere, growing up in the strong tradition of Davis Cup, which is just as popular in Belgium as in Australia. Indeed, Collignon's mentor Darcis has the moniker of Mr Davis Cup, which has been something that he has tried to instil in Collignon. 

"I was not happy about the move [to a group format] a few years ago, but now that they put home and away ties back, I think it's nice for the country, for the players to play in front of the home crowd," Darcis said. "There were 10,000 people here, and it's amazing because two, three years ago [in the neutral format], there were 100 people in the stadium.

"It's amazing, and I love to be here because when you play here, you have so many people, a very good atmosphere and the guys want to play in a big stadium. I think it's good for tennis."

Collignon felt similarly, revealing that the long trip to Australia and representing his country was worth it for him.

"For me, this format is so good, even if we have long trips like this one to Australia," he said. "When you see the stadium packed, the crowd supporting, and so many people in the stands, I think it's the best format in Davis Cup. It's great to play in this kind of atmosphere."

Similarly, at Roland Garros, Collignon was helped by a strong Belgian contingent, which clearly motivated him in his successful run this year. 

"It was incredible. I knew there would be a lot of people, because Belgium isn't very far away, and there is always a great atmosphere for the Belgians here in Roland Garros.  So much atmosphere and everyone chanting my name, it was amazing."

After beating Shelton, Collignon was asked how his results against top opponents are so strong. It allows him to be more relaxed, leading to incredible ball striking to challenge even the very top of the game. 

"I'm someone who thinks a lot about things, and I like to be in such a position when I have nothing to lose. I feel more relaxed, because I know that I have to attack in order to win, so it's a position I like," he shared.

"While I play a match which seems to be more reachable, sometimes my arm may shake or tremble, because I know that what I'm going to do should help me win, and I don't feel so good. So I like to play against someone much stronger than I am, because I have nothing to lose."

While grass might not be the Belgian's best surface, it is clear that at every tournament he plays, he is continuing to make waves as he keeps on rising. During his run at Roland Garros, Collignon was asked whether he still sees matches through the eyes of his childhood self, the one who dared to dream he would perform on these big stages.

His response was poignant and telling...

"Yes, obviously I do. I keep my eyes as a kid. I remember the time when I was behind my TV watching beautiful matches. I've always been a tennis fan, so I used to watch all the Roland Garros matches," he said.

"So this was really present at the beginning of the match, and then I managed to get into my bubble, but when you get to the court, obviously, you have a lot of memories that come up.

"When you win, obviously, it's multiplied by ten. So I keep my vision, my child's vision, of things. It's great, because being in a place like this is the place where you always wanted to be, so it's important to keep that kind of vision."

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