Where Were Federer, Nadal, Djokovic & Murray At Felix's Age?
Felix Auger-Aliassime is already drawing plenty of comparisons to the Big Four with his rapid rise up the ATP Rankings this season. Although it’s still too early to anoint the #NextGenATP Canadian as the next Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray, he’s either on or ahead of their curve in some respects.
At 18 years and 10 months, Auger-Aliassime is at a career-high of No. 21 in the ATP Rankings. Among the four active players ranked No. 1 in their careers, his current ATP Ranking far surpasses where three of them were at his age. Auger-Aliassime could also crack the Top 20 before his 19th birthday if he continues his run at The All England Club.
At 18 Years, 10 Months Old...
|
Player |
ATP Ranking |
Date |
|
No. 21 |
1 July 2019 |
|
|
No. 65 |
10 April 2006 |
|
|
No. 35 |
3 July 2000
|
|
|
No. 7 |
25 April 2005 |
|
|
No. 44 |
10 April 2006 |
The Canadian has matched the Big Four by competing in his maiden Wimbledon as a teenager. However, should Auger-Aliassime prevail against #NextGenATP Frenchman Ugo Humbert on Friday, he will accomplish what none of them were able to by reaching the second week as an 18-year-old.
Making Their Wimbledon Debut
|
Player |
Age |
ATP Ranking |
Year |
Result |
|
18 |
No. 21 |
2019 |
In Third Round, Facing Humbert |
|
|
18 |
No. 128 |
2005 |
Third Round (l. to Grosjean) |
|
|
17 |
No. 103 |
1999 |
First Round (l. to Novak) |
|
|
17 |
No. 76 |
2003 |
Third Round (l. to Srichaphan) |
|
|
18 |
No. 312 |
2005 |
Third Round (l. to Nalbandian) |
Auger-Aliassime’s debut against the Big Four came in May against Nadal at the Mutua Madrid Open. Despite the comparisons to the world’s best players that he’s receiving, the typically modest Canadian still seems starstruck around them.
“To start with, that [Nadal] knows me, that he talks about me, it's just amazing,” said Auger-Aliassime in April. “I used to watch him playing on TV, and the distance between him and me was so huge that it was just impossible to be able to play or to be around him at a certain point.”
With Auger-Aliassime's outstanding results this season, it’s safe to say that everyone in the locker room knows who he is now. It has been a rapid rise for Auger-Aliassime, who, at this time last year, was World No. 152. The teen has made his first three ATP Tour finals in 2019, finishing runner-up in Rio de Janeiro, Lyon and Stuttgart. Before this tournament, he had never completed a Grand Slam main draw match.
More On Felix:
Felix's Flight Up The ATP Rankings
A Nadal Poster Hung On Felix’s Wall… Until Shapovalov Came To Visit
Felix's Dad Is Sending Him Back To School
The #NextGenATP Canadian is aware of the lofty expectations people have placed on him, but the 18-year-old has already developed the ability to put blinders on and focus on his next match.
“I don't try to add extra pressure from the outside. I think I put extra pressure from myself already,” said Auger-Aliassime after his second-round win over #NextGenATP Frenchman Corentin Moutet. “I'm sometimes hard on myself, but I think it's all normal. You have to learn how to deal with it. You can't escape it. You can't hide it. This is in your life and you learn how to deal with it.”
