Quebec tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime seems to be in very good spirits as the National Bank Open approaches in Montreal.
Auger-Aliassime, who will soon be 22, will face a player from the qualifications for his first match of the tournament and he intends to benefit from the encouragement of a public who, without a doubt, will line up behind him.
“I am privileged to be in this position (…) you really feel the enthusiasm and the support of the people”, he explained in an interview with Frédérique Guay, at TVA Sports.
“I’m happy to come back and see relatives and childhood friends,” he also mentioned about his stay in Montreal, which he hopes to last as long as possible.
Evolution
One thing is certain, the athlete from L’Ancienne-Lorette is constantly progressing and this was particularly evident in a first title, won in Rotterdam in February.
“My level of play has improved a lot in recent years (…) physically too, I have continued to improve year after year,” he said. And like no one else, I feel more settled, more mature.”
He also tried to bring a little more positivity into his general approach.
“Having a positive and optimistic state of mind, which I have had for a year, a year and a half, has changed a lot of things, he revealed. After that, the work is done on a daily basis. I believe a lot in good habits and afterwards, when I jump on the pitch, it’s only instinct that speaks. I don’t have time to think so my habits have to be good.”
The other thing that helps him is the advice of Toni Nadal, the famous Rafael’s uncle, who has served as his mentor for more than a year.
“The goal we had was to discuss certain areas of my game,” Auger-Aliassime said. Maybe a bit of “challenging” me, to see with an outside eye what we can improve.
Nadal also brought “serenity” and “confidence” within the group, especially during the Grand Slam tournaments, added the Quebecer.
A link with Federer
Auger-Aliassime also has a good relationship with one of the best players in the history of tennis: Roger Federer.
“We exchanged once this year, he congratulated me on my title in Rotterdam, it was one of the first to send me a message, he revealed. It touched me, because I know that he too had difficulty winning his first tournament at the start of his career.
“I think he had a little compassion for me and also, I think we appreciate each other,” he then summed up.
Watch the full interview in the main video.
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