“He was just better than me”: Felix Auger-Aliassime reflects on Sinner defeat amid injury scare in Turin

Felix Auger-Aliassime’s debut at the 2025 ATP Finals took a worrying turn in Turin. The Canadian fell 7-5, 6-1 to defending champion Jannik Sinner but spent much of the match battling physical discomfort that limited his movement. The problem, which appeared late in the first set, worsened as play went on, forcing him to take two medical timeouts and visibly altering his mobility during the second set.

After the match, Auger-Aliassime confirmed he had been struggling physically but tried to downplay the seriousness of the issue. “No, not dangerous. I’m not too concerned,” he said. “He’s an amazing player. You have to give credit when the guy is just better than you. Today he was better than me. I’ll get ready for the next one.”

The first set had been highly competitive, with both players holding serve confidently until the final stages. But as Sinner’s relentless baseline rhythm intensified, Auger-Aliassime began to show discomfort, stretching his leg between points and taking longer during changeovers. By the start of the second set, the Canadian’s trademark explosiveness was gone. He was unable to push off on serve or chase Sinner’s deep forehands, leaving the Italian free to dictate rallies at will.

Despite the visible pain, Auger-Aliassime completed the match with composure. He avoided dramatic gestures or retirements, earning applause from the Turin crowd for finishing on his terms. “He started off amazing and never looked back really,” he acknowledged. “From the first point to the last, he was amazing. Toughest guy to beat here.”

The Canadian praised his opponent highly in the press conference when asked if he considers Sinner the best server-returner combo he has ever seen in his career. “That l've played, yeah. I've never played maybe like Roger in his prime. But yeah, I think for now, because they way you start a match, All right, go ahead, serve. But him, four first serves pretty much on the lines, serving I think like almost 80% first serves in the first set. Also returning, doesn't really miss second-serve returns. He missed actually a few, which is rare. But yeah, probably the best combination.”

Even when struggling, Auger-Aliassime maintained his focus — a reflection of his professionalism and growth in recent seasons. “I’ve never been afraid because we’re not going to war,” he said when asked about his mindset during difficult moments. “It’s a battle, yes, but a tennis battle. I try to stay focused and driven, even when things aren’t going my way.”

That mental discipline has been one of his key assets this season, helping him climb back into the world’s top 10 after a challenging 2024 campaign. Yet in Turin, his latest test came not from nerves or form, but from his body. The Canadian’s calm approach suggested a player aware that pushing through pain can sometimes come at a cost.

Auger-Aliassime’s condition now casts doubt over his next group-stage encounter against Ben Shelton. The Canadian confirmed he would undergo medical evaluation before making a decision about continuing in the tournament. “I’ll see how I feel tomorrow,” he said. “It’s been a long season, and sometimes your body just tells you to slow down. I’ll do everything I can to be ready, but I also need to be smart.”

The first alternate, Alexander Bublik (World No. 11), is on standby in case of a withdrawal. If the Kazakh enter the competition, one victory would be enough for him to break into the Top 10 for the first time in his career — a milestone that adds intrigue to the situation.