Canadian rising star Felix Auger-Alissame believes his recent praise from 18-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal shows that he is on the right path.
2019 has seen the 18-year-old become the youngest player to break into the world’s top 25 on the ATP Tour since Lleyton Hewitt back in 1999. During what has been a breakthrough season, Auger-Alissame has already contested two ATP Finals on the clay and one on the grass. He also reached the semi-finals of the Miami Open as a qualifier in what is his best performance in a Masters 1000 event to date.
Tipped as a future star of the sport, the rise of the World No.21 hasn’t gone unnoticed by his rivals. Ahead of the start of the Rogers Cup, world No.2 Nadal was the latest player to speak out about Auger-Aliassime. The two clashed for the first time this year at the Madrid Open, which Nadal won in straight sets.
“I like his character,” said Nadal. “He’s a very well-educated and nice guy. He’s very passionate about the sport. He’s one of the players that I would love to see at the top position and winning trophies because I think he deserves it.”
Speaking to reporters at the Rogers Cup on Tuesday, Auger-Aliassime said it is a ‘great feeling’ to have comments like those spoken about him. Leaving him both star-struck and inspired. He didn’t break into the world’s top 100 until February and has skyrocketed up the rankings since.
“It’s pretty crazy that in such a short time, I went from two years ago, they started hearing about me, then you’re like, Wow, Rafa actually knows who I am, he knows my name.” He said.
“Now today they say these types of things about you. It’s a great feeling. I think it just shows I’m doing the right things, I’m on the good path.’
“But at the end of the day these players, they can say great things about you. After it’s in your hands. You have to step on court. You have to keep working hard, keep doing the right things.”
This week Auger-Aliassime is playing the Rogers Cup in his home city of Montreal for the first time in his career. In his opening match, he survived a marathon clash with compatriot Vasek Pospisil to prevail 6-2, 6-7(3), 7-6(3), after more than two-and-a-half hours of play.
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Awaiting him in the second round will be 16th seed Milos Raonic. Another star of Canadian tennis. It will be their second meeting on the tour after Indian Wells last year, which Raonic won. However, the teenager believes he is now a ‘completely different player’ since their meeting.
“If I look at myself physically back then, I changed a lot. Mentally, as well.” Auger-Aliassime analysed.
“For sure I have the confidence that I can win against these type of players. I’m not as nervous stepping on these big courts. That’s also a big change.’
“I think the overall trust in my game is much more different than before. I think overall everything in my game has improved, from the groundstrokes, my return, my serve.”
Auger-Aliassime will play Raonic on Wednesday evening not before 18:30 local time.