Raphael Collignon comes into his own through "good exercise" on ATP Challenger Tour

At this year’s BNP Paribas Open, Raphael Collignon relished the chance to hit with one of the superstars on tour for the first time.

Hint: the player in question hasn’t dropped a match since their session in Indian Wells.

As Collignon traded strokes with Jannik Sinner, he absorbed all he could in their hour or so together inside Stadium 1.

“You see what he’s doing in training, you are very close to him. And you see what he tries to do, always puts pressure on you,” he told TENNIS.com during a walk on the grounds. “Every point counts. Tries to goes forward, not just putting in the volley. Trying to practice like he’s playing a match to be ready.”

While the Belgian lost his inaugural main-draw match to Joao Fonseca, he’s since warmed back up. In Miami, he saved a match point to defeat Grigor Dimitrov for the second time this season ahead of knocking out 14th-ranked Flavio Cobolli. That effort brought Collignon to 4-2 against Top 20 opponents.

“I’m a guy who doesn’t like to lose. I try to fight every ball, this is my mentality,” he said. “I will never lose the intensity. That’s why I think I’m playing good.”

The 24-year-old has alternated between tour-level and ATP Challenger Tour events at his past six tournaments, with another victorious Davis Cup appearance for his country mixed into the schedule. At two of the three Challengers, Collignon has stood at the top of the draw sheet. He’s finished in the winner’s circle on both of those occasions.

In February, Collignon successfully retained his title in Pau. This week, he blew through the Monza field without dropping a set—wrapping with straight-set wins over Martin Landaluce and Dino Prizmic. For the world No. 68, events at this level of the sport are helping sharpen his mind for the bigger stages to come.

“When you are ranked like me, you can be first seeded. You can try to figure out the pressure more because everybody is thinking you’re gonna win everything. It’s a good exercise on the court,” Collignon shared.

“The Challenger Tour is a very good circuit. The level there is very high.”

Born in Rochester, Minn. shortly before his family’s relocation to Belgium, Collignon will soon complete his set of major main-draw debuts when Roland Garros rolls around. With a rising profile as a Grand Slam competitor comes increased commitments, like Tennis Channel’s recent marketing shoot.

Collignon welcomes the creative process in those environments. As for the cameras, he doesn’t shy away from the lenses—especially if fashion is involved.

“I like the pictures. I did a very famous magazine in Belgium,” he says of his experience with Le Vif. “I like to post something of myself with good clothes. I do it with pleasure.”

If Sinner rubbed off Collignon in any way, there’s plenty of camera flashes, stylish wardrobes, and greater wins in his future.