After a trip in the Bahamas along with his girlfriend, Félix Auger-Aliassime made a stopover for just a few days in Quebec. We met him throughout his go to to the Tennis Canada amenities on Tuesday.
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Despite fast defeats at the Wimbledon and Newport tournaments, the ninth participant in the world was in good spirits.
In addition to granting just a few interviews, he accepted just a few requests for Tennis Canada's social networks. Félix was equal to himself, even when his schedule is busier than ever.
If it bothers him, it does not present. All this below the watchful eye of his agent, Bernard Duchesneau.
A couple of minutes earlier, he had the alternative to practice along with his father on the central. He exchanged just a few balls to get the really feel of the pitch.
The Quebecer won't see this floor once more till August 10, the day of his first recreation on Montreal soil. He is a relaxed athlete who answered the questions of the Log.
“This tournament is very important to me,” stated Félix Auger-Aliassime throughout our interview. In all honesty, after the Grand Slam tournaments, that is the match I would really like to win. »
“The Masters 1000 are very important tournaments for players during the year,” he provides.
Despite the presence of a number of gamers from the world's prime 10 in the predominant draw, Auger-Aliassime might be the hottest participant in Eugène Lapierre's match.
Manage expectations and stress
When he's on the website, followers will strive to snatch an autograph or a photograph from him. He might be welcomed as a hero by the followers at every of his matches on the central. The script is already written.
And the expectations are excessive. The predominant social gathering is conscious of this. However, the 21-year-old athlete is now effectively outfitted to cope with this kind of scenario.
“Earlier in the 12 months, I managed moments of stress very effectively, particularly throughout the ATP Cup or the Rotterdam match, explains Auger-Aliassime. At different occasions, I used to be much less ready to achieve this. »
“Week to week, you don't know. It remains that I am the same player and I approach the matches in the same way. I try to give the best of myself. I always want to play well, but I don't want it to be something negative. In the end, like me, people want to see me win. They want to see Félix have fun and have fun,” he continues.
A drawn desk
Auger-Aliassime would really like to go a good distance in the Montreal match. On the different hand, he won't have a victory on a silver plate from his opponents.
The predominant draw might be very robust. It might be extra so than Wimbledon for a particular purpose.
“There are two Russians in the prime 10 who weren't current [à Wimbledon]Auger-Aliassime evaluation. [Daniil] Medvedev is the greatest participant in the world. When you do not have the world primary in a match, it is a recreation changer. »
“Medvedev is the defending champion in Canada and we know how successful he is on hard courts. Daniil is still one of the favourites. Nadal is also one to watch if he stays in shape. There are also Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas to consider. The picture is very strong here as in all the masters”, he factors out.
A cease in Los Cabos
Auger-Aliassime and his crew determined to take part in the Los Cabos match earlier than the Montreal one.
This is a change from the previous few years when he took half in the Washington occasion. However, he might be ready to earn fewer factors in the standings (250 as an alternative of 500) in the occasion of a victory in the closing.
“I all the time favored to play the week earlier than the Montreal match to have just a few video games in my physique and a few benchmarks, explains Auger-Aliassime. It's higher than staying right here and having eyes on me in apply. In a match, it permits me to be in competitors mode and to be a bit out of sight. We picked Los Cabos, which has a weaker draw and a first-round bye. »
Auger-Aliassime might be one of the headliners together with Daniil Medvedev, Cameron Norrie and Diego Schwartzman.
Subsequently, he rented a non-public jet that can enable him to journey to the metropolis in an affordable time.
Another proof that he did not need to miss the Montreal match for something in the world.
A getaway to Quebec
Félix Auger-Aliassime made a bounce to Quebec throughout his keep in the province. An necessary second for the athlete earlier than returning to the collar on the ATP circuit.
“I had not been to Quebec since 2020, says Auger-Aliassime. I went again to my childhood neighborhood [Ancienne-Lorette].
“I took the alternative to present my girlfriend the college I went to after I was little. I additionally walked round the neighborhood a bit. »
“Just to see the house where I grew up and the academy [de tennis Aliassime], it was special. Quebec is not big. I saw a lot of familiar faces, people I've played with before and parents of players,” he continues.
“It was good to return to the membership [Avantage] and see that it has developed. It was fascinating to see that there's a sure belonging that continues to be. »
Good recollections
He was born in Montreal, however he grew up in Quebec. Auger-Aliassime has not forgotten the place all of it started.
“These are the roots. I've some recollections of Montreal. Tennis began after I was in Quebec at the age of 5. My first tournaments had been there. »
“My first beautiful moments took place at Club Avantage. It brought back many good memories of going there. It was good to see the prospects who are seven or eight years old. It reminded me of the times when I was in their place,” he remembers.
Despite its worldwide notoriety, the ninth racket in the world remains to be ready to stroll the streets of Quebec with out being bothered.
“People are respectful. It goes well. People's outlook has changed over the past few years. For example, I went to Old Quebec with my girlfriend. I got stopped a few times, but people did it politely. They always have good things to say. It's the same thing in Montreal,” says Auger-Aliassime.
A celebration on the pitch
On August 8, Auger-Aliassime might be 22 years previous. He doesn't know if he might be in Montreal for this special occasion.
What does a tennis participant want for when he blows out the candles on his birthday cake?
“Health for me and my family members, to have good relations with them. At the skilled degree, I ask for achievement and to win as many matches as attainable. It's not the most necessary. I could be dwelling with my household that day. Since it is match week, there will not be something extravagant. »
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