Ernests Gulbis, born in 1988 in Latvia, comes from an accomplished and affluent family. He is the son of businessman Ainars Gulbis, who built his fortune in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gulbis excelled in sports from a young age, competing in basketball and swimming before ultimately focusing on tennis during his teenage years. This decision led him to a career where he faced tennis icons such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Gulbis trained at the prestigious Nikola Pilic Academy in Germany, the same facility where Novak Djokovic honed his craft. The two were contemporaries, sharing the court during their formative years. However, Gulbis always set himself apart, famously declaring, “When he [Djokovic] started winning titles, his eyes changed”.
Skipping much of the junior circuit, Gulbis transitioned early to professional tournaments, carving his path to the ATP. Despite his raw talent, he garnered a reputation for his unfiltered comments and controversial demeanor. Early in his career, Gulbis stirred the pot by stating, “Luckily for me, money is not an issue. I don’t play for money or fame. My motivation is to prove I can be better than everyone else”.
The Nadal incident
Rafael Nadal and Ernests Gulbis faced off seven times, with Nadal winning every encounter. Yet one match stands out—the 2010 Rome Masters semifinal, where Gulbis pushed Nadal to the brink before falling 1-6, 7-5, 6-4. Afterward, Nadal remarked, “If being better means hitting the ball as hard as possible without caring where it lands, then yes, he was better than me”.
Toppling Federer
Gulbis’ crowning achievement came at the 2014 French Open, where he stunned Roger Federer in a five-set thriller during the fourth round. The Latvian triumphed 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, showcasing his fearless approach. It was one of only two victories Gulbis secured against Federer in their five meetings, the other being at the 2010 Rome Masters.
A career of peaks and valleys
Gulbis reached his career-high ranking of world No. 10 in 2014 after a standout performance at Roland Garros, where he made the semifinals. Known for his explosive game and unpredictable results, his talent often shone in individual matches rather than over sustained tournaments.
Between 2010 and 2014, Gulbis claimed six ATP titles, all at the 250 level. His first came in Delray Beach in 2010, and his last in Nice in 2014. Injuries and a lack of consistency plagued his later years, though he briefly reemerged in 2018, reaching the Stockholm final before losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Gulbis officially retired in 2024.