Auger-Aliassime returns to site of first ATP Tour level title in Rotterdam after 0-8 record: “Every time I lost one of those finals it was tough mentally

Felix Auger Aliassime will try to repeat his success at the ABN AMRO WTT Rotterdam, where he lifted his first ATP title against Stefanos Tsitsipas

World No. 7 will play his first-round match at ATP 500 Rotterdam next Tuesday against Italian Lorenzo Sonego. It is a special tournament for Felix Auger Aliassime, since there he lifted his first professional title in 2022, after 0-8 record in finals:

“Every week is an opportunity in tennis. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. Starting with the first round, I lost the first set [against Egor Gerasimov] but felt I was playing good tennis. Then I actually won 6-2, 6-2 after, if I recall,”

It wasn’t an easy road for the 22-year-old, in the second round he had to overcome former World No. 1 Andy Murray:

“As the week went on, I felt that I was playing better and better. Playing Andy [Murray], one of the best players in the history of our sport, is always special. I had an amazing start and played some of my best tennis of the year. I went up 4-0 and then, as he always does, he broke me back and came back. I was able to close out the first set. And then again the second set started my way and I was able to dictate the match and be really dominant. It was a great win.”

After a great victory in two sets, he played the quarterfinal against 6th seed Cameron Norrie, whom he also beat in two sets and played the semifinal against 2th seed Andrey Rublev:

“The match against Andrey in the semi-finals was the toughest match of the week” Felix said and added: “I had a lot of chances to win the first set and I thought I should win it and then I lost the tie-break. We played some good tennis.”

“And then the second set he should have won and I won it. I was down 0/40 at some point on my serve. I was able to save that game and break him right after. Then after the third set I felt there was a big momentum shift. I felt good physically and then I just started dominating the play”.

He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-4, 6-2 to lift the trophy. It was the first final he has won in his career, as he was 0-8 at that point: “Every time I lost one of those finals it was tough mentally.”

“I said this year I am going to try to be a different player. I am going to try to be a better player than I was the year before. That means I am going to try and play a better match when I get to those finals. So I really felt I was able to put all those negative things on the side and really focus on the positives and be optimistic and approach the match with a lot of confidence.”

Since his incredible win against Tsitsipas, the Canadian has played four finals, winning three of them.

“When I saw the ball go out on match point, it was a big relief for me and my team. Having my mum, dad on FaceTime, that is what got me emotional,” the Canadian said.

“I think on the court I was really happy but wasn’t feeling all the emotions, but once you’re close with your people and share a moment with them, that’s when you really start feeling your emotions because you think of the tough moments of losing finals. You think of the work that you put to get there. It is a big relief, the stress goes out at the same time. I think that is why you feel emotions as a player.”