Gulbis Ernests, 33, is currently world No.205. Few years ago, he was world No.10. It’s worth recounting how Gulbis’ journey is panning out. You’d best buckle up for this rollercoaster ride. Peaks and troughs would be an understated way to describe Gulbis’ career path, which was surrounded with intrigue even as a teenager. Gulbis’ father, Ainars Gulbis, is an investment banker while his mother, Milena, is an actress. A concrete net worth is elusive; however, Gulbis’ family is said to be the third-wealthiest in Latvia.On several occasions, it’s suggested, Ainars would lend his son the family’s private jet to travel to and from tournaments. Presented with this rumour, Gulbis jokingly said “Yes and I have a helicopter, a submarine and a spaceship.”
Gulbis began playing tennis at the age of 5 with his grandmother. At the age of 12, he attended the Nikola Pilić tennis academy in Munich and stayed there until age 18. Gulbis refused to play much junior tennis as he only played in three tournaments, winning one. He mainly played in men’s ITF futures events to start his career and officially turned pro in 2004 at the age of 15.
Gulbis announced his arrival on the Grand Slam stage in the 2007 French Open by defeating the British veteran, Tim Henman in straight sets to advance to the second round. It was heralded by the British Davis Cup captain, John Lloyd, as "... a brilliant performance from Gulbis, that is just pure and utter talent." However, Gulbis' run was halted in the second round by Spaniard Álbert Montañés in a four-set, rain-interrupted match.
During his seven-year stint at a German tennis academy, Gulbis would intermittently train with none other than Novak Djokovic, who Gulbis met for the first time at 12 years of age and would years later in 2013 label “boring” along with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray for their style of play and interviews.
In 2008, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2008 French Open. Throughout the tournament he beat Simon Greul, seventh seed James Blake, Nicolás Lapentti, and home-favourite Michaël Llodra. In the quarterfinals, he lost to third seed Novak Djokovic in three tight sets.
In 2014, the world was reminded of Gulbis’ enormous potential when he made a stunning run to the French Open semi-finals, defeating Roger Federer in the fourth round (his earliest exit in a decade) and Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals before going down to old sparring partner Novak Djokovic.
It was also during 2014 that Gulbis revealed he breaks “around 60 to 70” racquets a year. As a result of his French Open effort, Gulbis entered the top 10 for the first time in his career, before eventually finishing the year at world No.13.
His 2008 quarterfinal and 2014 semi-final at the French Open remain the two best results of his career - he has never made the quarterfinals of a slam outside of those two efforts.
Australian Open: 3R (2020)
French Open: SF (2014)
Wimbledon: 4R (2018)
US Open: 4R (2007)
