Félix Auger-Aliassime lost 6-1, 0-6 and 5-7 to Marton Fucsovics at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Vienna on Monday. The only 18-year-old Canadian can nevertheless look back on a good season. A conversation in the mixed zone.
tennisnet: Mr. Auger-Aliassime. You’ve played a lot of tennis this year. How are you physically?
Félix Auger-Aliassime: We are all a little tired. But I started the season a month and a half later. Maybe that’s why I have a little more energy. But I’ve also played a lot of matches, almost 30 tournaments. So I have a lot of tennis in my body – but I still feel good and healthy.
tennisnet: How would you sum up your match against Marton Fucsovics, which you just lost?
Auger-Aliassime: In the second and at the beginning of the third set, a lot went wrong. Even if it wasn’t a typical 6-0. I don’t think I played that badly. But my big problem was, I didn’t serve well. And if I don’t score a lot of points after my first serve, which is unusual for me, it made a big difference. I just missed the one or two points on my serve.
tennisnet: You and Denis Shapovalov seem to be really good buddies. Is that impression true?
Auger-Aliassime: That’s really the case. And not only in the social networks.
tennisnet: Is it difficult for you that Denis is already ahead of you in the world ranking?
Auger-Aliassime: This is a comparison that is often made. Because we’re almost the same age and good friends. But we have different careers, we are in different stages of our career. Denis has had two great tournaments last year, the Rogers Cup and the US Open. That put him in the top 50. I have not had these tournaments, have lost many close matches. My time will come. But there’s no rush. Everyone goes his own way.
tennisnet: You were very critical about the new Davis Cup format. But of course we still want to play Davis Cup. How would you describe the atmosphere in the Canadian team?
Auger-Aliassime: The atmosphere is great. Denis and I are such good friends, but we don’t see each other as often as we want. And at the Davis Cup we always have a good time. I’m also very close with Vasek Pospisil. And Milos Raonic is simply a good role model for the younger players. And I can learn a lot from what he says.
tennisnet: Now you have come on tour with great advance praise, also and especially from older players. How do you deal with this pressure?
Auger-Aliassime: I don’t feel that as pressure. I’ve won tournaments since I was 14 years old. I’m just focusing on getting better. And to realize my potential.
tennisnet: You succeeded in this very well at the US Open 2017. How does life change when you win a Junior Grand Slam tournament?
Auger-Aliassime: Honestly, I didn’t expect that. Some players almost take it for granted when they reach a certain level. And forget the many steps it took to get to this point. There’s a lot of uncertainty among the juniors. You start with zero points, then you win a couple of matches, and out of nowhere I made it to the final of the French Open. It was a big deal for me. And only then did I really set myself the goal of winning a junior Grand Slam tournament.
tennisnet: When you come to a city like Vienna as a young player – do you also take the time to visit the city?
Auger-Aliassime: Oh, yes. I arrived earlier, on Thursday. On Sunday we drove a little through the city, visited the castle Schönbrunn. And then all the little shops in town.
tennisnet: You are only on the road with your coach. Is that enough for you?
Auger-Aliassime: My physiotherapist comes to a few tournaments. More often next year. But I don’t need anyone else. Even if I miss my family. When she comes to the matches, it’s great. But my parents both have to work, so does my sister. So that’s difficult.
tennisnet: Will you take a few days off after the season – or will you start training again right away?
Auger-Aliassime: No, I need a break, two or three weeks. Depends on when I quit. And then I will probably train in Florida and try to prepare for the coming year.
tennisnet: Do you also have a second sport that interests you?
Auger Aliassime: Football. And then, above all, ice hockey.
tennisnet: Which team?
Auger Aliassime: Montréal Canadiens.
tennisnet: A notoriously unsuccessful franchise …
Auger-Aliassime: This year has started well. I’m confident.
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