Former Kentucky tennis star Gabriel Diallo wins first ATP Tour title

Aug 29, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Gabriel Diallo of Canada in action against Tommy Paul of the United States on day six of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Former Kentucky men’s tennis star Gabriel Diallo is quickly making a name for himself at the professional level.

On Sunday, Diallo won his first-ever ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) title with a victory over Belgium’s Zizou Bergs at the Libema Open in the Netherlands. Only 23 years old, he took down Bergs by a count of 7-5, 7-6 (8). The 6-foot-8 Diallo trailed in the second set 6-4 before pulling off an impressive comeback to lock up the title. He became the first-ever Canadian to win this event.

Currently ranked 55th in the world, Diallo is guaranteed to jump into the top 50 for the first time in his career when the updated rankings are released.

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An incredible finish to an incredible week for Gabriel Diallo 🙌#LibemaOpen pic.twitter.com/pb05YV4FmC
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 15, 2025

Diallo’s rise to stardom won’t come as much of a surprise to those who followed him during his time in Lexington. As a Wildcat (2020-22), he led Kentucky to an NCAA Championship match appearance in 2022 while earning All-American honors. Since qualifying for his first Grand Slam Main Draw appearance at Roland Garros in 2024, Diallo has risen over 100 spots in the ATP rankings. He made it to the second round of the French Open earlier this year.

It’s now more than likely that Diallo will make his main draw debut at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships (June 30-July 13). But before then, he’ll return to action on Monday to compete in London’s HSBC Queen’s Club Championships. He’s set to take on England’s Billy Harris in the Round of 32.

A tennis star is being born in Gabriel Diallo.

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