The ATP Tour hosts over 60 tournaments across 30 countries each calendar year, as players battle it out on the biggest stages sport can offer.
However, for some, the opportunity to compete on the tour never arises. Players are required to have a high ranking, typically within the top 100, to qualify for the main draw of ATP Tour events. Those in qualifying may often enter while ranked in the top 200.
For many aspiring tennis professionals, these dreams are dismissed at some of the lower levels of the sport, including the Challenger tours and ITF tournaments.
Despite the challenges facing players, some manage to slip through the cracks, and end up facing the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
One player, who is competing at the Canadian Open this week, has managed to slip through that crack at the age of 26.
Alexis Galarneau wins his first ATP Tour singles match at 26 years old
It has been a long road to this point for Alexis Galarneau.
The 26-year-old Canadian had never won an ATP Tour main draw singles match until last night. The Canadian beat Alexander Zverev’s Wimbledon conqueror, Arthur Rinderknech, to win his first round match at the Canadian Open.
Galarneau, who recently lost to British hope Oliver Tarvet in the second round of Wimbledon qualifying, limited the Frenchman to just a 42 per cent winning rate on his second serve points, while converting two of his eight break-point opportunities.
The 26-year-old turned professional in doubles at the 2021 Canadian Open after receiving a wildcard. In 2022, he went professional in singles.
In 2022, he was part of the Canadian Davis Cup team that lifted the title for the first time in their history.
The Canadian former world number 153 also enjoyed a history of success before turning professional. He competed on the ITF junior circuit until 2016 before playing college tennis while studying at North Carolina State University between 2016 and 2021.
Galarneau has won an ATP tour-level singles match previously, defeating Lorenzo Sonego in the 2023 Davis Cup Finals group stage. However, he had never won an ATP Tour main draw singles match until Monday night.
How much will Alexis Galarneau earn?
The Canadian, who received a wildcard for this year’s Canadian Open, is set to receive a significant sum following his victory over Arthur Rinderknech. As per the ATP Tour website, Galarneau will walk away with $35,260.
If he emerges as the victor from his next round, the Canadian will earn $60,400.
Galarneau, who has already jumped 22 places to 171 in the world, is set to face Wimbledon quarter-finalist Flavio Cobolli in the next round.
If he defeats Cobolli, he could set up an iconic match against compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime. The pair played together in doubles when Galarneau made his professional debut at the 2021 Canadian Open.
