WATCH: "Learn to play tennis, I played like s**t and I still beat you" - Gulbis to Martineau

Wednesday, 20 July 2022 at 16:30

Updated at Friday, 15 November 2024 at 09:58

byZachary Wimer

Ernests Gulbis is a very familiar name to most tennis fans, and he gave them a throwback moment by mocking his opponent after beating him at the ATP Challenger event in Trieste.

Gulbis was a superbly talented tennis player who peaked in 2014 when he was 26 years old. He reached the Roland Garros semi-finals that year, beating Tomas Berdych along the way before being defeated by Novak Djokovic.

Besides being an exceptionally talented player who never fully realized his potential, he was also known for his controversies. He always played with attitude and has been a unique figure on the ATP Tour. In a way, some compared him to Nick Kyrgios.

Not only did they display similar attitudes both on and off the court, but they were also considered some of the most talented players of their generation who never quite achieved their full potential.

Many factors contributed to that, but a lack of dedication to the sport is likely the main one. Even so, many years later, some things have largely stayed the same. While Gulbis is now much older compared to 2014, the Latvian has never really let go of playing with that attitude.

It showed again during the Challenger event in Trieste recently, where he faced Matteo Martineau. After beating the French player in two sets, 6-3, 6-4, Gulbis and Martineau exchanged some words.

While much of what was said is difficult to decipher, the final remark from Gulbis was unmistakable. He essentially told his opponent that he needed to learn to play tennis because Gulbis had played poorly and still won the match.

"Learn to play tennis. I played like s**t, and I still beat you."

While the remark was not nice from the Latvian player, Gulbis is still around and proving that age is just a number because his talent is still there.

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Lol I had to rewatch the whole match for this moment , Plus his accent is too cute ,that’s probably because he didn’t talk English for a long time 😂😂😂 #Gulbis