Christmas is a time best spent with family and for the ever-travelling tennis player those moments become even more special, as Frenchman Gilles Simon can attest.
In an always-crowded schedule, the third-seeded Simon was able to savour the festive spirit with wife Carine Lauret and two-year-old son Timothee – even if it was only fleeting.
“We had to take the plane right after that. It’s always a tough moment – Christmas for tennis players,” he said.
But like most families, they were still able to sit down and open presents on Christmas Day.
“(We gave Timothee) a big train, he’s a big fan of trains. He’s playing with it all day,” Simon said.
While his family may be rugged-up in the midst of a Europen winter, Simon is sweating it out in the Brisbane humidity for what he describes it as a “very good preparation” ahead of the Australian Open later this month.
“I really think that this is the best way for me to prepare for Melbourne,” Simon said.
Having made the semifinals at last season’s event, he will again be looking to press deep into the tournament.
The 28-year-old will meet crowd-favourite Marcos Baghdatis in the quaterfinals, who is coming off an upset 6-4, 6-2 win over sixth seed Florian Mayer.
But for the slightly built Simon – the six-foot Frenchman weighs-in at just 70kg – coming up against bigger and stronger players is something he’s used to.
“I just try to do what I have to do on the court to win. Some guys just go with their big serve and big forehand. I have to find the weaknesses of my oponents but it’s part of my game, I’ve always had to play like this.”
Having recently finished inside the world’s top 20 for the fourth time in five years, it’s fair to say he’s found a pretty good balance.