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ITFWorld Winter 2022/23

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14 Winter 2022/23 ITF World GILLES BAILLY INTERVIEW When a rising star begins to make a name for themselves, it provides a blank canvas for tennis commentators to unearth gems of information that help piece together the personality behind the player. Described as fierce and feisty on court but relaxed and chilled off it, it turns out that as well as being a morning person, Belgium's Gilles Bailly is also an avid reader of sporting autobiographies. "The autobiography of Rafael Nadal has made the biggest impact," Bailly tells ITFWorld. "It has made me realise that success does not come without huge efforts, even for players such as Nadal. "There will be good and bad moments along the way, but the most important lesson is to keep working towards your goal and believe in yourself. I always try and learn from reading these books and put into practice the lessons learned. "Knowing, even to my surprise on some level, that the absolute top players have had bad moments and bad matches motivates me to keep pushing and trying. We're all human after all." The reason for the interest in Bailly is that in December he made history by becoming the first Belgian male across any category to be crowned an ITF World Champion after sealing the boys' year-end No. 1 spot. It followed a season of consistency, although the 17-year-old may well have ended the campaign with two Junior Grand Slam singles titles to his name, only to lose in finals at Roland Garros and the US Open with silverware tantalisingly within reach. However, three titles – all of which came on clay at J1 level – together with his showings at the Slams and a record that read 41 match-wins from a possible 53 was enough for Bailly to seal the much-coveted No.1 spot. ITF World Champion status will also be forever his. "It was an incredible feeling to end the year as a junior world No.1 and be named an ITF World Champion," said Bailly. "I never thought that something like that would be possible. I have been playing on the junior circuit for four to five years and it has been a fun, but long, journey. I could not have dreamed that I would reach that level and have an end to a year like that." Bailly followed in the footsteps of Belgian doubles pairing Nancy Feber and Laurence Courtois, who were named ITF World Champions in the junior category in 1992 when the award, which is now combined, was given in both singles and doubles. Fellow Belgians Elke Clijsters and Kirsten Flipkens were also named ITF World Champions in juniors, while Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters are previous ITF World Champions from Belgium in the professional category. Bailly, however, is the first Belgian male to have the honour bestowed upon him. "I am very proud about this, and it is an incredible feeling generally to be the best player of your age," added Bailly, who travelled as a hitting partner with the Belgium team to the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals Group Stage in Hamburg in September 2022. "On the other hand, I realise there is still a very long road ahead of me and the real challenge starts now. However, it remains very special that I am the first Belgian male to be named an ITF World Champion. I will cherish it forever." Last season, Bailly sealed back-to-back titles at Casablanca and Villena during a hugely productive March, while further success arrived in July as he conquered all before him at Klosters. Clockwise from top le : Bailly lost the US Open boys' final in three sets to Mar n Landaluce; he was also a junior Grand Slam finalist in Paris; in ac on at the US Open and Roland Garros

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