Felix Auger-Aliassime claims he ‘never doubted’ his ‘abilities’ after first win since May
Felix Auger-Aliassime has backed himself to return to good form, after picking up his first win in three months over former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
Auger-Aliassime beat former No.6 Berrettini, 4-6 6-2 6-3, in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters and spoke about his challenging season afterwards.
“I never doubted my abilities or the player I am,” said the Canadian. “I think I have proven to myself and others that I’m among the best players in the world in the past.
“This year has been challenging due to different reasons. Of course, the knee injury that lasted very long kept me on the sideline and also just not playing with the intensity and the level that I can play and that I should play.”
Auger-Aliassime last won a match on the ATP tour in Lyon against Pablo Llamas Ruiz, but the 23-year-old has struggled with a knee injury since.
The No.14 revealed how he kept up his belief in these difficult periods, “It’s a gut feeling, sometimes. I have had good periods and I thought, well, I want to go a bit higher. So you change… I added Toni Nadal to the team and got his experience over the last few years. Changing fitness coach, physio.”
He continued, “It’s kind of like you see what’s happening, and you talk with the people close to you, people that you trust. And then also, at the end I try to be responsible for my career. I mean, I’m the one playing, I’m the one on the court. I feel like when I make choices, I think about them, and I live by, you know, I can really happily live by the choices that I make.
“I feel good about my game. Like, on the practice court or now, physically, I feel pretty good. I’m not too far from the best version of myself.”
This one felt good 😤👊🏽
Let’s keep fighting for more📸: @atptour | Peter Staples pic.twitter.com/XFJLPwBeQo
— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) August 15, 2023
Auger-Aliassime now awaits Adrian Mannarino in his second round match taking place later this evening, in a first time meeting between the pair.
Felix Auger-Aliassime and his record in 2023
Although Auger-Aliassime has returned to winning ways, his win-loss record is still negative this year:
Win-loss record in 2023: 14-15 (48%)
Best tournament results:
- Australian Open Fourth Round
- Doha Semi-final
- Indian Wells Quarter-final
- Lyon Quarter-final
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