'Belligoal': Mrva rocks his Jude Bellingham celebration at Wimbledon
Followers of junior tennis will recognise the shout of “Belligoal” echoing across the world’s courts and it means only one thing, Czechia’s Maxim Mrva has chalked up another victory.
It was the case at J300 Roehampton last week and it is same here at the Junior Championships, Wimbledon. Whenever Mrva wins, he raises his arms, looks to the heavens and screams “Belligoal”.
His signature celebration, a tribute to Real Madrid and England footballer Jude Bellingham, was on show earlier today as Mrva surged into the third round following a 6-4 6-2 triumph over Spain’s Andres Santamarta Roig.
“Everybody asks me about the celebration,” Mrva told itftennis.com. “It is from footballer Jude Bellingham. I saw some videos of him celebrating on TikTok and decided to do it.
“I started doing it at J500 Offenbach in April, a tournament that I won. I just kept winning there so kept on doing the celebration and now I do it all the time. I love the celebration because I look up and get energy from it.
“I like Jude Bellingham very much, but my favourite player is Lionel Messi. There is no debate who is the best player in the world, it is Lionel Messi.”
Mrva was a promising footballer in his youth and was linked to joining the junior set-ups of professional clubs Sigma Olomouc and Sparta Prague before opting to dedicate himself to tennis.
That has proved a solid decision with the 16-year-old currently ranked No. 12 in the ITF World Tenns Tour boys’ rankings and having the status of a Davis Cup Juniors champion after his nation’s triumph in 2023.
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Mrva has enjoyed a productive campaign so far, winning J500 Offenbach – a career-best singles title – and reaching the latter stages of several others, while also adding to his experience on the ITF World Tennis Tour Men's.
His Wimbledon quest has been aided by some words of wisdom from world No. 26 Jiri Lehecka, who reached the round of 16 at The Championships 12 months ago before crashing out to Daniil Medvedev.
“The day before I left for England, Jiri came to watch my practice and we talked for about 30 minutes about how I should play and he gave me some tips,” said Mrva, who trains at TK Prostejov.
“Because of him I know how to move and how to play – big credit goes to Jiri. He plays so well on grass, so he knows what I should be doing and need to be doing. I am trying to do what he said. I believe it’s really helping.”
It certainly is. Reaching the third round, where he will face either Great Britain’s Mark Ceban or Hoyoung Roh of Korea, Rep., means Mrva has equalled his best Junior Grand Slam performance. That will please many, including his grandmother.
“My whole family is here,” added Mrva. “I look like a guy who is smiling all the time, but I do like to prioritise myself and I enjoy having my own time. I love my family and having them here is great.
“My family is the best thing I could ever ask for. I would also like to say that I have the best grandmother in the world. She is the biggest fan of tennis. Quite honestly, she doesn’t understand tennis, but she is my biggest fan.”