Felix Auger-Aliassime says he doesn’t feel like ‘the player he wants to be’ after losing in four sets to Flavio Cobolli at the French Open on Wednesday.
The Canadian fourth seed was a set and a break up before losing 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to the world No.14. Auger-Aliassime failed to convert seven break points during the third set before getting broken midway through the fourth. Coming into the showdown, he was the highest-ranked player left in the top half of the draw.
Despite producing the best run at Roland Garros so far in his career, the 25-year-old feels his tennis is still a long way from where he wants it to be. Coming into the tournament, he had failed to win back-to-back matches at three consecutive claycourt events.
“I can’t complain with my life, but I’m in a place right now with my tennis career that it’s tough,” Auger-Aliassime explained during his press conference.
“I’m a little bit destroyed. I usually handle losses pretty well, I have to say. My whole career, I was going back to training with optimism and positivity. Now I feel like I’m not the player I want to be, so today is a difficult day.”
Continuing to criticise himself, a dejected Auger-Aliassime admits he hasn’t improved as much as he would have liked in recent weeks. Overseeing his progress on the Tour is long-time coach Frédéric Fontang, who has been with the team since 2017. There is no indication that this partnership will end soon, but alarm bells are starting to ring.
“In order to find the right opportunities, you need to play tennis well,” he commented.
“Every tournament is an opportunity, and after a disappointing clay season, I tried to do better here. I won a few matches, but when I look at my clay season overall, I did not quite improve the way that I wanted to or the way that I might have anticipated compared to other seasons on clay.
“There are further improvements that are possible for me, but I’m definitely not satisfied with the way things went today.”
As for where he goes next, Auger-Aliassime says he needs to ‘clear his mind’ before thinking ahead. However, time is not on his side with Wimbledon starting in less than a month’s time.
“I’m growing more and more impatient. I’m 26 this year and I’m not improving the way that I wish, so that’s why I’m not feeling great today.” He states.
“I need time, maybe a week, to clear my mind and project myself into the rest of the season and the rest of my career.”
There is a silver lining for Auger-Aliassime amid his disappointment. On Monday, he will rise to a ranking high of No.4.
