The early-morning call that changed everything for Cristian Garin at Wimbledon

Player Features

The early-morning call that changed everything for Cristian Garin at Wimbledon

Chilean is former quarter-finalist at Wimbledon

Getty Images Lucky loser Cristian Garin defeated Luxembourg qualifier Chris Rodesch on Monday at Wimbledon. By Sam Jacot

Cristian Garin was pacing in his London hotel room early Monday morning when the phone finally rang. The 29-year-old Chilean, third in line for a lucky loser spot at Wimbledon, had waited all weekend for a call he wasn't sure would ever come.

Then, just after 7 a.m., it did.

The withdrawal of Pablo Carreno Busta due to injury opened the door. Garin, breath held, took the call and with it, his chance. Within hours, the Chilean had packed his bags, raced to The All England Club, and walked off court as a first-round winner, defeating Luxembourg qualifier Chris Rodesch 7-6(8), 6-4, 6-4.

“On Thursday I lost in four or five hours in the last round of qualifying, five sets. I was just really sad and upset, so down,” Garin told ATPTour.com on Monday, referencing his third-round qualifying loss to Giulio Zeppieri. “But I knew that I was seeded in qualifying so I would have a good chance to get a lucky loser spot but then when I was third down on the list, I didn’t have expectations to play.”

The Chilean stayed in London through the weekend, holding out hope.

“Two guys pulled out on Friday, but then no one did over the weekend. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking maybe I’d get in or maybe not,” Garin said. “And today in the morning I got a call at about seven that someone was not going to play. So I came at eight in the morning.

“It was crazy. I quickly left the room, came here and then had a small hit and then I was on court playing. To come out and win makes me just really happy because I get to continue playing here this year.”

With his Wimbledon fate in limbo, Garin filled the weekend with light training and time away from the court in the city, blending preparation with distraction.

“It was a good weekend because I practised for three days but also I didn’t focus just on Wimbledon," Garin said. "I went on a city Tour and went to a few good restaurants in the city. I rested a little bit. It was definitely a good weekend, but I wasn't in the draw and my mind went back to it. Once I got in, I was just super excited and I am super happy to play here again.”

Having not played a professional match on grass before the age of 21, Garin has come to enjoy the lush lawns in London, earning some of his best results at Wimbledon. The former No. 17 player in the PIF ATP Rankings reached the fourth round in 2021 and then advanced to the quarter-finals at a major for the first time in 2022, defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur en route.

“It's a tournament that I think I play really well at,” Garin said. “I know the conditions and how they are. I have happy times here and that helps me enjoy even more. Played some of my best tennis here. I am just enjoying the chance to play one more year here. I think I have played here for eight years at this tournament. Just every year I enjoy it more, and even despite the results sometimes, I just like to be here and play here.”

Garin was inside the Top 50 following Wimbledon in 2022, having been a Top 20 player earlier that season. Since reaching the quarter-finals in 2022, Garin’s path has been rocky.

Injuries, including a wrist issue, and inconsistent form have tested his resilience. But the five-time ATP Tour titlist has refused to give in. This season, he has captured two ATP Challenger Tour titles and continues building momentum.

Reaching the second round at Wimbledon brought visible emotion.

“It is so satisfying reaching the second round. It makes you remember all the hard work, all the decisions that you took when you were injured or sad or unmotivated,” Garin said. “Now I remember those times and I'm very proud of the work that I’ve been doing with my team and with myself also. Like a lot of hard work that no one sees.

“For me that's really important to remember that in these moments. I just want to keep going and I know that I can give much more. So day by day trying to improve. Every day is a new opportunity to improve and I'm only thinking about that.”

Cristian Garin celebrates reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2022. Photo: Getty Images

Garin’s reward for reaching the second round is a meeting with Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who upset Alexander Zverev in five sets.

The 29-year-old is clear of his aim to reach the third round but stressed his status as a lucky loser lifts the pressure. The main goal is just to enjoy.

“As a lucky loser, I think I was just happy to have the opportunity to play, so I didn't know much about my first opponent. I didn't care about anything. I was just happy that I had the opportunity to play. And it will be the same for my next match,” Garin said. “Maybe it was less pressure than other times, but I was just enjoying the opportunity. So maybe that's an advantage.”

Click here to read article