David Goffin was as high as world #7 in 2017, but a real slump in form has seen Goffin drop down the rankings and in danger of falling out the Top 100.
David Goffin Goes South
David Goffin is suffering from a real slump in form at the moment. Having progressed nicely up into the top 20, Goffin was instrumental in getting Belgium to the BNP Paribas Davis Cup Final in 2015. The then-25-year-old was the driving force in getting Team Belgium to the final. Although injured, Goffin managed to play the fifth and deciding rubber, having missed the first day against a weak Switzerland team that was missing both Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.
Canada turned up in Belgium for the quarterfinal without Milos Raonic or Vasek Pospisil. The tie was a total whitewash for Goffin and his team-mates as they destroyed the opposition 5-0. Goffin was little troubled in the semi final against Argentina, winning both his matches in straight sets. This levelled the tie and Steve Darcis finished off in style to set up the final against GB.
The Davis Cup Final
The final in Ghent was a partisan affair, Brits and Belgians mixing in Ghent. Goffin got the Belgians off to a shaky start, as he trailed by two sets to British #2 Kyle Edmund. However, Goffin got back on track and took the lead. That was as good as it got for Belgium. After all, the Brits had a Murray or two on their team. Andy levelled the tie and teamed up with his brother Jamie to claim the doubles. Goffin needed to beat a Murray to have any chance of pulling the tie around.
A super effort from the Belgian, but well it wasn’t to be.
A Murray lob sealed things for GB, but Goffin had been sublime throughout. Two years later and Goffin was in the top 10 and at another Davis Cup final, and was runner up at the end of year tour finals. After suffering injuries the Belgian made the final of the Cincinnati Open in 2019 his first masters final.
Goffin’s Decline
Unfortunately, Goffin form has since dipped. Although he reached the fourth round of the US Open for the fourth consecutive year in 2020, the Belgian had not been as successful elsewhere. Then Goffin was unlucky enough to test positive for COVID-19 which forced him out for the rest of the season (albeit a short one, because of the pandemic).
The Belgian’s 2021 season ended early, when he picked up a knee injury at or around the US Open. Goffin finds himself currently ranked #70. The Belgian lost early in Indian Wells, and in the second round in Miami. Can Goffin find his form again or are we approaching the end?
Main Photo from Getty.
