ATP Tour
It all adds up for Felix Auger-Aliassime, who has been one of the game's most popular players since making his ATP Tour main-draw debut in 2018 in Rotterdam — the same event where he won his first tour-level title in 2022. Every season and every match is part of a memorable story that the 25-year-old continues to write, with his current quarter-final run at the Rolex Shanghai Masters the latest chapter.
ATPTour.com caught up with the Canadian earlier in the year to discuss his successes, challenges, rivals, idols and more.
What is the biggest success of your career?
At the end of 2022, I had this win streak — it was 16 matches. Then I qualified for [the Nitto ATP Finals in] Turin at the end of the year, won the Davis Cup. That whole stretch was probably what I am most proud of. Since I was young, I had good results, but I wasn’t able to put up a streak of wins like this. I could have a great tournament, then I could lose early in the next tournament. Then I was able to prove to myself and the competition that I can actually go and win a tournament and then back it up again and again.
Three titles in a row and then the semi-finals in Paris-Bercy, that was huge for me. To top it off with the Davis Cup was a moment I am definitely really proud of.
What is the biggest difficulty you’ve had to overcome in your career?
When you get to a point where you struggle to find consistency and you have to figure out why. You can go to work and you can play, but the most difficult part is not the physical part, it’s figuring it out with yourself and your team. “What do I actually need to improve? What’s making me not play the way I want right now?” That’s the difficult part, finding out the why.
Who would you say your greatest rival is?
I would say Stefanos Tsitsipas because it’s two-sided. There are guys that I have struggled to get a win over for a long time, like Medvedev. With Tsitsipas, we have gone back and forth over the years, even since we were juniors. It goes way back. He always brings competitiveness.
What is your favourite tennis rivalry, outside of your own?
Nadal-Federer was an iconic rivalry. I liked Novak and Andy growing up. It was interesting because they both have a counter-punching game. I felt like they were really trying to find ways to outsmart the other guy, and they had a lot of rallies so it was always interesting to watch. You could see how physically demanding it was. Those were fun to watch in Slams.
What is your favourite tournament to play and why?
Grand Slam, I would say Wimbledon. The most prestigious, historic tournament. ATP Masters 1000, Monte-Carlo. It’s just a beautiful place to play tennis. ATP 500, I would go with Doha, I feel like it’s one of the best. ATP 250, Auckland. It’s the only tournament we have in New Zealand, and I feel like it’s such a unique part of the world. Sometimes you play these tournaments in common countries for tennis, but New Zealand is out there.
What’s been the coolest experience of being a tennis player?
Meeting my idols from when I was growing up, that’s the coolest thing. You can travel to places, but meeting people who I saw growing up — the likes of Roger, Rafa, Novak and Andy — that’s pretty unique.
What is the biggest goal you have been chasing?
I still haven’t won a Masters 1000 title or a Grand Slam. They are the biggest categories of tournament and the toughest to win, so if you do capture one in your career, that’s huge. Those are still to do. But winning the Davis Cup, winning an Olympic medal were huge. I think capturing a medal goes beyond your sport.
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