Former US Open boys champion Félix Auger-Aliassime has accepted an invitation to train with Roger Federer in Dubai next month.
The 17-year-old has risen almost 500 places in the Emirates rankings since the start of the year and has peaked at a high of 153rd in the world. On the Challenger tour, he rewrote history by winning a title in Lyon at the age of 16 years and 10 months. Becoming the seventh youngest player to win a Challenger title.
More recently, in September, Auger-Aliassime won his second title in Seville to break into the world’s top 200. Over the past 20 years on the ATP Tour, only three players have achieved the milestone at a younger age than him. Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet.
Auger-Aliassime’s collaboration with Federer was confirmed on Thursday afternoon at a Tennis Canada press conference. Louis Borfiga, who is the vice-president of elite development for the organisation, said that the world No.2 wanted ‘to help’ the Canadian teenager.
“He’s the only junior-age guest [in Dubai],” Borfiga told reporters.
“He loves tennis, Federer. It’s crazy. He watches games from 14-15 years ago. I think he wants to help the new generation. I also think he liked the game of Felix and his personality.
“He wants to give back a bit of what tennis has given him. He wants to help Felix … maybe to avoid some pitfalls that would be good to avoid at his age.”
plans for 2018
It is unclear as to what other players will also be training in Dubai. Guillaume Marx, who is the coach of Auger-Aliassime, said Andy Murray could also be present. The former world No.1 has conducted his off-season training blacks in Dubai in the past.
“We do not know exactly who will be there: surely there will be Lucas Pouille, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and it may be that there will also be Andy Murray, although we’re not sure.” Said Marx.
Outlining what the start of 2018 will look like for the teenager, Marx confirmed that he will be bidding to qualify for the main draw of a grand slam tournament for the first time at the Australian Open. Earlier this year, Auger-Aliassime fell in the second round of qualifying at the US Open.
“After this training period, from December 4 to 21, Felix will fly to Australia, where he will participate in a Challenger tournament and then try the Australian Open qualifiers.” Marx explained.
It has also been reported that the world No.159 has also been granted a wildcard for the Rotterdam Open in February.
Auger-Aliassime has played a total of 53 main draw matches this season, winning 37 of them. He was forced to miss some of this year, including the Canadian Masters, after suffering a left wrist injury.
