Felix Auger-Aliassime has finally found the coach who will lead him into the next stage of his career, and the choice comes with an impressive résumé. The Canadian has appointed a former world No. 3 who helped Roger Federer win three Grand Slam titles and return to the top of the ATP rankings during the latter part of the Swiss legend’s career.
Auger-Aliassime had been without a permanent coach since ending his partnership with Frédéric Fontang in July. At the time, the Canadian said he would wait until after the US Open before announcing his next move, leaving the identity of his new coach open for several weeks.
The decision ultimately came shortly after his first-round exit at the China Open in Beijing. Auger-Aliassime has now opted for experience at the highest level, bringing in a coach who has already worked with one of the most successful players in tennis history and understands what is required to compete consistently at the top of the sport.
The appointment also comes at an important point in Auger-Aliassime’s career. The Canadian has established himself as a regular presence near the top of the rankings but will now look to turn that consistency into further progress at the biggest tournaments, with his new coach bringing a wealth of experience from both the player and coaching sides of the game.
Federer’s former coach joins Auger-Aliassime
The man chosen for the job is Ivan Ljubicic, the former Croatian world No. 3 who worked with Federer from 2015 until the Swiss star retired in 2022. Their partnership produced three more Grand Slam titles, while Federer also returned to world No. 1 during that period.
Ljubicic joined Federer during the later stages of his career and was part of the team that helped him continue competing at the highest level. Federer won the Australian Open in 2017, Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open again in 2018 during their partnership, while also reclaiming the No. 1 ranking in 2018.
That experience is now set to become part of Auger-Aliassime’s next chapter. The Canadian has already reached a career-high No. 4 and established himself as one of the leading players of his generation, but his new coaching partnership will be tasked with helping him take another step forward.
The move also gives Auger-Aliassime a coach with direct experience of managing the demands surrounding a top player, particularly during the late stages of a career when small adjustments can make a significant difference.
Ivan Ljubicic sarà il nuovo coach di Felix Auger-Aliassime. A rivelarlo è la testata britannica The Times. Il tennista canadese, attuale n° 5 del mondo, ha scelto l'ex allenatore di Roger Federer come successore di Frederic Fontang, da cui si è separato la scorsa estate 🌟
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) October 1, 2026
Sfuma… pic.twitter.com/OoE1U7v5nl
Ljubicic will keep his role with the FFT
The appointment does not appear to mean that Ljubicic will completely step away from his work with the French Tennis Federation. The Croatian joined the FFT in 2022 and previously served as its High Performance Director before moving into a role as special adviser to president Gilles Moretton.
According to The Times, Ljubicic is expected to retain his responsibilities within the federation while also beginning his new coaching partnership with Auger-Aliassime.
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For the Canadian, the timing is significant. After ending his long-running partnership with Fontang during the summer, he now has his new team in place with the 2026 season approaching its final stages.
Auger-Aliassime’s next tournaments will therefore provide the first opportunity to see how the partnership develops. The Canadian has already reached the highest levels of the sport, but he will now have a coach who knows first-hand what it takes to turn a top player into a Grand Slam contender.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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