After eight years on the ATP Tour, it’s easy to forget that Felix Auger-Aliassime is still just 25 years old.
The Canadian turned professional in 2017 and he’s since collected an impressive nine career titles on the ATP Tour.
Auger-Aliassime reached the final of the Rotterdam Open and won an ATP 250 title in Montpelier already this year as he continues to prove he’s one of the players who could challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Ahead of Indian Wells, Auger-Aliassime heaped praise on two tennis legends, who he said were the most aesthetically pleasing players in history.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s favourite tennis players to watch
Auger-Aliassime is a true student of the game and he proved that when he named his favourite-ever tennis players.
Asked by Sports Illustrated who his favourite male and female tennis stars to watch were, the Canadian responded: “Male, I would say Roger Federer, for sure.
How would you rate Felix Auger-Aliassime’s chances of winning a Grand Slam in 2026?
“I mean, I don’t think we’re going to see anything like it again,” he added. “So that would be, that would be my take.
Auger-Aliassime and Federer only met once on the ATP Tour, with the Canadian defeating the tennis legend.
Their sole match took place at the Halle Open in 2021, which Auger-Aliassime managed to win in three sets.
“And female, I think Ash Barty was special to watch. She just had all the tools, all the game. You could just feel like every shot had an intention behind it.”
Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles, while Barty reached World No. 1 and won three Grand Slams before retiring at 25 years old.
Felix Auger-Aliassime learns his fate at Indian Wells
Auger-Aliassime is looking to win his very first Masters title at Indian Wells and he has now found out who he will face in the second round.
The Canadian earned a first round bye thanks to his ATP Tour ranking, and Gael Monfils has emerged as his opponent.
Monfils defeated Alexis Galarneau in straight sets to set up a third-ever meeting with Auger-Aliassime at Indian Wells.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
The pair are currently split on the head-to-head, with Monfils beating Auger-Aliassime in the 2020 Rotterdam Open final and the Canadian returning the favour at the 2023 Laver Cup.
Despite their Laver Cup meeting being a glorified exhibition, things got heated when they met in Vancouver.
Auger-Aliassime was unhappy with Monfils’ time between points, which caused the Canadian to vent at the umpire.
“Are you sticking to the ATP rules? Are you telling me that’s normal? He sits down for like 30 seconds,” raged Auger-Aliassime.
“I mean, that’s a time violation warning. That’s not, ‘I’m gonna talk to him.’ Cause I can play games too. I can play games too.”
Monfils also hit an underarm serve at the Laver Cup, which Auger-Aliassime was visibly upset over.
