Louis Borfiga appointed to the Order of Canada

Louis Borfiga, who spearheaded Tennis Canada’s elite improvement program, has been appointed to the Order of Canada—certainly one of our nation’s highest honours meant to acknowledge service that has formed our society.  

The current semi-retiree might be honoured at an investiture ceremony held later this yr together with the opposite 98 new appointees introduced by Governor Normal Mary Simon.  

Anybody who has been lucky sufficient to be acquainted with the Monaco native is aware of his humility and behavior of giving a lot of the credit score to the individuals who encompass him. So, his response to the information from the GG comes as no shock.  

“After I bought the message to name the Governor Normal’s workplace, I believed it was a prank. After I lastly made up my thoughts, I spoke with a girl who advised me the information and requested if I’d settle for. And I did, after all!” stated the person many affectionately name Luigi, including that he obtained the decision in November and was requested to maintain the data confidential.  

The appointment could be very significant to Borfiga, who devoted 15 years to making a improvement construction for Canada’s tennis elite.  

“I’m clearly very proud and considerably shocked to obtain such a beautiful honour. It means an amazing deal to me,” he added.  

A unprecedented profession 

Louis Borfiga got here to Canada with the in depth experience, data and coaching strategies he developed on the Institut Nationwide du Sport, de l’Experience et de la Efficiency (INSEP) beneath the aegis of the Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT). Below his management, abilities together with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gaël Monfils, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon have been found after which launched into their careers. 

Throughout his time right here, from 2006 to 2021, Eugenie Bouchard, Milos Raonic, Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez all competed in Grand Slam finals, with Bianca successful the US Open and rating within the Prime 5, as did Bouchard and Raonic. In 2022, Canada positioned three girls and three males within the WTA and ATP Prime 100, to not point out all of the success of doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski. 

One in every of Canada’s sensational seven, World No.6 Félix Auger-Aliassime, lately wrapped up an unimaginable season by which he raised 4 winner’s trophies and led his groups to glory on the ATP Cup, Laver Cup and Davis Cup.  

In some ways, Borfiga introduced his profession full circle in Paris final November, when he sat with Sam Aliassime as Félix punched his ticket for a showdown towards Gilles Simon.  

The next day, Auger-Aliassime introduced the Frenchman’s profession to an finish.  

As a part-time advisor for the FFT, Louis Borfiga will proceed to observe the Canadians from his Paris suburb. “They’re all nonetheless my youngsters. I be in contact with a number of of them, together with Bianca, Leylah, Félix, Milos and Vasek,” he affirmed.  

Excessive reward 

At Tennis Canada, the information of the appointment was greeted with delight.  

Eugène Lapierre, who labored with Borfiga for the 15 years he spent right here, underlined the super affect he has had on Canadian tennis. 

“He didn’t simply enhance the construction: he modified the very core of the discourse. At present, we consider that if a participant from Serbia, Spain or South America can ascend to the very high of the rankings, there’s no purpose why a Canadian with comparable bodily and psychological talents couldn’t do the identical. Merely put, there’s no purpose why we couldn’t succeed.”  

The previous match director of the Nationwide Financial institution Open additionally emphasised how our mindset has modified. “Canada was very comfortable to win two rounds at a world match or simply to compete at Billie Jean King Cup or Davis Cup. However not anymore! We’ve confirmed we need to play in semis and finals and convey residence titles,” he defined.  

Ask Hatem McDadi, senior vice-president of tennis improvement, about Louis Borfiga, and a really particular day in September 2019 involves thoughts.  

“I bear in mind when Bianca received the US Open, beating Serena Williams, on a Saturday, mid-afternoon, in just about weekend prime time. Virtually eight million Canadians tuned in. I believe that when Sidney Crosby scored the golden aim on the 2010 Olympic Video games in Vancouver, the identical quantity of individuals have been watching. It transcended tennis—it was about Canadian delight. Like when Mike Weir received the Masters Match. These issues matter to our nation.” 

McDadi’s ideas ring even more true since Louis Borfiga is newly appointed to the Order of Canada with none aside from Sid the Child himself.