Auger-Aliassime believes a "change in generation" is happening with the Big Three missing from Indian Wells

With all three members of the Big Three absent from this year's BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells event, Felix Auger-Aliassime believes the change in generation was inevitable.

The Canadian reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at this year's US Open, and is part of the influx of young players who are slowly taking over the game. With Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all missing Indian Wells this year, the 21-year old believes he has a chance to go deep at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

“It was going to come eventually. A change in generation," said Auger-Aliassime. "Novak is still number one, and Roger and Rafa we will see how they come back. But they have done it so many times in the past in their careers. They are going to be tough to beat for as long as they play."

Nonetheless, the World No.11 believes the lack of the Big Three does not diminish the competition, as the current crop of young players are extremely talented and hungry for success.

“Having tournaments like this where the average age of the top eight seeded players is 23, you know that it is going to be highly competitive," added the Canadian. "But as a young player, you try and establish yourself with those top players who will dominate or win the big titles in the year to come.

“For me, the challenge is big, but at the same time the motivation is big as well to try to play well to end the season and put myself with those best players in the world.”

Auger-Aliassime received a first round bye at Indian Wells, and will kick off his campaign against either Italian Lorenzo Musetti or Spanish veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas.