ATP Tour

Goffin says goodbye to Roland Garros: 'It's pure joy, nothing but emotions'

David Goffin said goodbye to Roland Garros Wednesday when the Belgian wild card fell to Toby Samuel in the second round of qualifying at the clay major.

The 35-year-old, competing in the final season of his ATP Tour career, remained full of positive emotion despite the defeat, reflecting on the happy memories that have long made Roland Garros a special place for him.

“It’s pure joy, nothing but emotions, with some magnificent moments," Goffin said, cheered on by a capacity crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. “Amazing matches, beautiful courts, superb atmospheres. I’ve always been welcomed here like one of yours. Like a champion, like a prince. Thank you very much.”

Goffin made waves on the Paris terre battue on his debut in 2012. The Belgian fell in the third round of qualifying but earned a place in the main draw as a lucky loser, an opportunity he made the most of. He surged into the fourth round, where he faced Roger Federer and took a set off the then 16-time Grand Slam champion before eventually falling in four sets.

^{Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images}

Four years later, Goffin achieved his best result at the tournament when he reached the quarter-finals, losing to Dominic Thiem in four sets. The Belgian closes his Roland Garros chapter with a 19-13 tournament record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and having faced all members of the 'Big 3' on the Paris clay.

“I started here [on Court Suzanne Lenglen], playing my first matches and playing some of my best matches here 16 years ago,” the former World No. 7 said. “And here you go, 14 Roland Garros later I find myself back on the same court.”

This year, Goffin received a wild card into qualifying. The 35-year-old defeated Chun-Hsin Tseng 6-3, 6-1 in the first round Monday before falling 7-5, 3-6, 3-6 to Samuel in the second round Wednesday. Despite the loss, Goffin wore a smile as he acknowledged the crowd one last time.

“I gave everything, everything two days ago,” he said. “Gave it everything out there. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough this time, but it was still pure joy to play on this court.”