Auger-Aliassime pays tribute to Williams' sisters following Rotterdam win

After winning his maiden ATP title, Canadian superstar Felix Auger-Aliassime honored Venus Williams and Serena Williams as trailblazers who paved the path for kids like him to be successful in the world of tennis.

The 21-year old defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday in the ABN AMRO WTT Rotterdam final, finally ending his streak of eight ATP finals without a title. Subsequently, Auger-Aliassime discussed the importance of Black History Month and paid tribute to those who had paved the way to enable him achieve his goals.

"In tennis, there are big, big pioneers like Arthur Ashe, Yannick Noah and the Williams sisters. I like to think that because of these people, people like me and others can really believe and dream to play at a high level in a sport like tennis," said Auger-Aliassime.

"Black history month is an important part of history and I am happy that we are paying tribute to these great people. "It is really important to take a moment some time in a year to pay tribute to some other people who paved the way for a kid like me, and other kids in any other place in the world, to believe that they can have an impact internationally, that they can do all the things they want to do."

Following his victory over Tsitsipas, the World No.9 expressed relief at winning his first title.

“It has not been the smoothest road since my first final three years ago,” Auger-Aliassime said during the trophy ceremony in Rotterdam. “It is an amazing day for me to get my first title and especially here.

"I played my first ATP main draw here a couple of years ago, so it is right I won my first title here."