FELIX BALSHAW achieved his inaugural ATP Tour victory on Monday, securing a win against Jaime Faria with scores of 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in Lyon.

The 20-year-old from Leeds is the son of former England rugby star Iain Balshaw, who was part of the World Cup-winning team.

Standing at 6ft 4in and boasting a classic single-handed backhand, Balshaw has made a name for himself on the ATP Challenger Tour this year, which is the second tier of men’s professional tennis.

Starting 2026 ranked No. 718 in the world, he has surged over 500 places in the standings.

Balshaw showcased his talent with 32 winners in his match against No. 56 Faria, who had previously taken a set from Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open last month.

Expressing his emotions post-match, Balshaw remarked: “I have no words. It highlights all the hard work I’ve put in with my team finally paying off, and I’m delighted to have done it in front of such a fantastic crowd.

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“I’m overflowing with emotion after this victory.”

Former full-back Iain, now 47, played in England’s triumphant World Cup final against Australia in 2003.

In contrast, his son Felix represents France, having moved there as a young child when Iain transferred to Biarritz.

Reflecting on his tennis journey so far, Felix shared with L’Equipe: “I started in Biarritz from the age of 4 until I was 18.

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“Then I spent a year in Italy with (Riccardo) Piatti, and now, for the first time, I have a personal coach, Thomas Drouet.

“I feel a connection with him that I haven’t experienced with others; I can see the determination in his eyes, and I believe we can achieve great things together.

“It’s a good feeling when people from outside your sport invest their time in you, and that’s exactly what I needed.”

Asked why he chose to diverge from rugby, despite his father’s legacy, Balshaw explained: “I played rugby from ages 8 to 13, but I had to make a choice at 13.

“When I was younger, I definitely wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps. However, given my physique, I don’t believe I would have excelled in that sport.”

Balshaw is set to compete against either Ugo Humbert or Corentin Moutet in the second round.

This remarkable year has positioned the rising star in contention for the Next Gen Finals.

Taking place in Jeddah, the Next Gen Finals is an event for the eight top-ranked players aged 20 and under.

Balshaw’s victory over Faria has placed him at No. 8 in the live standings as the Race to Jeddah enters its final stretch.

With the single-handed backhand becoming increasingly rare in modern tennis, Balshaw is committed to preserving this technique.

He commented: “I was inspired by my idol, Roger Federer. My one-handed backhand is a result of guidance from my first coach, Remy Feller, and I admit my left hand was completely untrained!”