“We quickly became close friends and birthed our vision to play doubles on tour and try to get to the top of the ATP through doubles,” said Davidson. “We began to develop a game plan to become professional players, while sharing the Gospel on tour. We trained for three months and then went to Tunisia in November 2006 to play in an ATP Futures Tournament as our test run.”
Some test run. They won their first-ever professional tournament and earned their first ATP points. In a matter of one tournament, the duo moved from no ATP ranking to No. 1,080 with the win, moving more than 800 spots.
“That was our opening,” said Davidson. “We were there for four weeks, just trying to get into the qualifying event. Next thing you know, we shared the Gospel with more than 20 ranked ATP players, many of whom were Muslim or Hindu. We want to share Christ with a world that needs Him, and now we are reaching the world as He commands – literally.”
Since that victory last November, Davidson and Briaud have traveled to nearly 20 different countries, including Australia, Belgium, Belize, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Greece, Italy, Panama, Spain, and Switzerland.
Along the way, though, Davidson took a few weeks off. Funds were running low; a lower-level touring pro on the Futures or Challengers circuit does not make nearly the same money as the Rafael Nadals and Roger Federers of the world. He was now caught between being able to survive financially and keeping the dream and the ministry alive.
While Davidson spent a few weeks regrouping, Briaud continued to play with other partners and continued to win. In a matter of six months, Briaud surged to a doubles ranking of No. 240 in the world. Since the two could no longer play together because Briaud’s ranking was too high and their combined ranking would not get them into higher level tournaments, the focus of Cross Court Ministries began to change.
“We want to get Patrick ranked in the top 100,” said Davidson. “I now focus on the ministry side. He takes me along to all his tournaments as his training partner and coach. I still wanted to play, but I felt like the ministry would be more successful with two of us working together. I made the choice to sacrifice my immediate shot at the big time to see where we can take the ministry.”
