Felix Auger-Aliassime has enjoyed one of the more miraculous runs of form we have seen in recent years, turning what seemed destined to be another solid but unspectacular season into one of genuine success.
Before the US Open, he had languished, winning a few titles but failing to live up to expectations. It felt like another season of obscurity awaited him.
However, the run he put together in New York clearly sparked something within him, and since then, he has looked near-unstoppable.
Quarter-finals in Shanghai and Vienna paved the way for a run to the final of the Paris Masters, and with this latest triumph seeing him reach the ATP Finals’ semi-finals, the Canadian is guaranteed to finish the year inside the top five.
It will offer him a much-deserved reward for a bold playing style that only now finally seems to be paying dividends.
Felix Auger-Aliassime seeks to explain his game plan
Speaking about his philosophy and the way he approaches matches, the 25-year-old was keen to emphasise why it might often look like he discards many points with simple errors.
He insisted, speaking live on Sky Sports last night, that it is always is done with a purpose, and that every mistake helps him to progress in his aggressive, accountable game.
Felix Auger-Aliassime told Laura Robson: “Yeah, depending on the point, obviously, it depends on the point in the game.
“Sometimes, you know, I think it looks like I’m making mistakes, but it’s always an intention, and that’s the mentality for me. It’s not like I’m making mistakes with no intentions; I’m always trying to aim at the target, I’m trying to do something, I’m trying to create something, and I’m really trying to take matters into my own hands.
“You know, I don’t like putting my destiny in the hands of the opponent, but I just, I can push the ball to court, but I don’t like putting it that way.
“So obviously I’m going to miss a few but at the end, you know, it went my way.”
It’s a testament to his remarkable year that Auger-Aliassime achieved a feat not even Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner have managed in 2025 earlier this week, further justifying his place amongst these elite once again.
Could Felix Auger-Aliassime challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
Whilst many will be keen not to get too wrapped up in this sensational second half of the season, the way Auger-Aliassime has been playing is indicative of a player ready to explode in 2026.
If he manages to find consistency in his form and fitness across an entire year, he could build upon this remarkable career-high ranking and finally be the challenger to unsettle the established top-two-ranked players on the ATP Tour.
Once upon a time, Auger-Aliassime was tipped to be the next big thing in tennis, but for whatever reason, he has yet to fulfil that potential.
Not everyone progresses at the same speed though, and provided this run of form is not a false dawn, there’s no reason to back against him continuing his development and starting to compete regularly with Alcaraz and Sinner for the sport’s elite honours.
