Status: ATP #45.
DOB: July 12, 1990 In: Rocourt, Belgium
HT: 5-11 Wt: 155
First Tennis Memory: “I was six years old when I played my first tournament and I was so excited to play my first official tournament in Belgium. I did not do so good but it was my first official tournament. I didn’t have a ranking when I was six. But I loved that day, I played a lot of tournaments after.”
Tennis Inspirations: “My father (Michael) was a professor. I got in tennis because of him. And my brother (Simon) was also playing good. And I was watching a lot of Pete Sampras when I was young. That’s why I began to play tennis.”
Last Book Read: “I don’t read a lot, it was probably a book from school but I don’t remember the name.”
Current Car: “Alfa Romeo MiTo (gray).”
First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: “I think it was in Paris, Bercy Masters. I was there to watch Christophe Rochus. I think he was playing Karol Kucera in qualies. I think it was the first match that I saw.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “French Open, of course, against Federer. It was the fourth round. On the big court. It was great. (Did Federer say anything to you after?) Yes, there was a little speech on the court and it was very friendly. It was a great match and I had a hug with him. It was great.”
Most Painful Moment: “Just had an injury in my abs for four or five months. It was not easy. I was doing bad. It was a painful moment. After Australian Open last year.”
Favorite Tournament: “Wimbledon.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Steve Darcis and Oli Rochus, all the Belgian guys.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “Tursunov. I’ve played against him in Malaysia. And he wanted to play…there was a video game, like football games, FIFA. And he wanted to always play that FIFA, directly after the match. ‘Come on, I want to play, I want to play [smiles].’”
Strangest Match: “Not a weird match…at the end last year I was playing six matches and I won five times 7-6 in the third. I don’t know why but every time I was in the third set it was 7-6 and I won five in a row, 7-6 in the third.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Golf.”
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods and maybe Usain Bolt. In tennis, Federer and Oli Rochus. He (Rochus) has a lot of talent, beautiful game, beautiful backhand. It’s nice to see a lot of rallies and slice. Good player to watch. And he’s a fighter also.”
Nickname: “La Goff.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla and chocolate.”
Best You Ever Felt On Court: “In Futures, when I was so excited to go on the Tour. I was playing Futures $10,000, it was my first match or second match against a seeded player ranked around 500 and I won 2 and 2. But my opponent was so big and he served like John Isner and I was returning all the balls and he didn’t know what happened. It was exciting.”
Favorite Quotation: “Impossible is nothing.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “To respect. And generosity.”
"Tursunov wanted to play FIFA after our match"
Author comment by Scoop Malinowski · October 24, 2012 at 11:59 am
La Goff had a big win today vs. Isner. There is some buzz about La Goff’s uncanny abilities, beating Isner may be his best win. Watch out for Goffin in the future, he could be one of those young players sneaking up without the Harrison/Tomic/Dimitrov/Young fanfare and expectations.
Dan Markowitz · October 24, 2012 at 2:58 pm
You missed an opportunity. When he said he hasn’t read a book, you should’ve given him your own. And when he said vanilla and chocolate were his favorite ice cream flavors, you should’ve taken him to Baskin & Robbins.