Surging Felix Auger-Aliassime on lessons learned and how he is now able to “deny defeat”

14 wins – on the trot – three titles (in three weeks!) and all the confidence gained. It’s abundantly clear that Felix Auger-Aliassime, long considered a “work in progress” that was still very much “learning how to win the big one”, has taken the necessary steps to crystalise his game.

These days, he doesn’t just display enormous potential, he delivers in the clutch and raises titles.

In other words, Auger-Aliassime has evolved, taking the experiences – both good and bad – and using them all to become a more potent player. Some might even call him a winning machine.

Auger-Aliassime – the stars are aligning

Most keen observers of the sport had a feeling it would come to fruition for the Canadian, the question was more when than if. But those who did worry, labelling the Canadian as a perennial underachiever (shy of his 23rd birthday, no less), now know. Auger-Aliassime has taken a giant step in 2022, and if he keeps progressing, more steps could be on the way.

“I’ve always believed I could play at the highest level,” Auger-Aliassime said on Wednesday in Paris, a day that saw him scratch and claw his way to victory over Mikael Ymer for his 14th consecutive victory on tour. “I still consider it’s the beginning of my career and that I can do better and go higher.”

Team tennis created good vibes and helped him get his game laser-focused

Auger-Aliassime says that he has benefitted from some important wins as part of a team in 2022, and those wins have laid the foundation for his success.

“After the US Open, I felt boosted by the collective training session with the Davis Cup team, I played a good match versus Carlos [Alcaraz],” he said, referring to his first ever win over a reigning world No 1, achieved in September. “After that; the Laver Cup was a nice collective emotion too. I don’t know why but I took will and energy from there. And the motivation to play good until the end of the season.”

“I’ve always believed I could play at the highest level. I still consider it’s the beginning of my career and that I can do better and go higher.”

— Felix Auger-Aliassime

Auger-Aliassime, who has earned a career-best 54 wins on tour this season, says at some point the good vibes triggered bigger belief.

“I started to think that I could reach the finals of the next competitions, and to win three times was unexpected… The stars were in alignment,” he said.

ATP Cup – a key moment to kick off the season

Entering the season with the black cloud of an 0-8 lifetime record in ATP Finals hovering over him, Auger-Aliassime quickly set the tone for what was to come. He and Denis Shapovalov took Team Canada on their shoulders and topped Spain in the final.

Auger-Aliassime clinched the crown for Canada by battling past Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. This was the type of win that earns respect around the tour, and it was one that put wind in Auger-Aliassime’s sails as well.

“The ATP Cup final showed me I could play well in high-tension and decisive type of matches,” he said. “It helped during the final in Rotterdam (where he won his first title of four on the season). Now I can play the finals (without too much tension), reach my best game. The three latest finals were played in three sets, I see it as a positive sign.”

Refuse to lose – it’s a part of Auger-Aliassime’s mindset now

Impressively, riding a thirteen match winning streak and noticeably running on fumes on Wednesday, Auger-Aliassime dug down deep to produce a gritty victory in three sets over Sweden’s Mikael Ymer. It was one of those wins that the casual fan wouldn’t think much of, but to nuanced observers, and most of all Auger-Aliassime himself, it meant a lot.

“Difficult to explain how the defeat denial is built up,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I just think you need experience of this type of moments. I learned a lot from this match against Ymer. It is a first round but I think I’ll keep it in my memory.

“It means a lot to me. It’s not just wining when everything’s fine. Last week it was flawless, I won the finals in two sets. Today everything was harder, and having found the path to victory really means a lot to me.

What’s left in the tank?

Auger-Aliassime will face Gilles Simon on Thursday in Paris. Simon, 37 and playing in his last tournament, might be the only player more tired than the Canadian after two marathon emotional victories in Bercy.

Does Felix have anything left to give at this stage of the season?

“We’ll see,” he says. “Now talking to you I’m tired. But I’ll rest and sleep as long as I can and we’ll see on the court tomorrow.

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