Former Indian tennis player Prakash Amritraj believes that
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime has the game to be in the top 10 in ATP rankings
consistently. The 23-year-old registered a thumping win in the round of 64
of the Monte-Carlos Masters where he got the better of Italy’s Luca Nardi with
a score of 6-2, 6-3.
Amritraj, while talking at the Tennis Channel, heaped praise
on Auger-Aliassime who according to him has all the ingredients to become a
permanent of the top-10 in the ATP rankings.
“Look Nardi won a challenger last week in Napoli so he is
coming with wins under his belt,” he said. “I don’t care which level you are
winning in but you if are coming on the back of winning a title, you have your
shoulders broad, your chest stuck out.
“Felix put him in his place today. He executed really well,
especially on his serve. Its always said that when his serve is falling in the
place, that’s when the rest of the shots come into play.
Felix Auger-Aliassime back home during 2023 at the Canadian Open will now face Carlos Alcaraz in the second round.
"Almost 90 per cent on
the first serve and 62 per cent on the second serve, did not face a break point
in the entire day. It is going to be huge for him on this surface. When he is
playing at his best, his game is free-flowing. His game is natural on fast surfaces.
On clay, he has to manufacture stuff because of the slowness.
“He has the game. He just needs to build on it. Sitting
around the 30s in the rankings. That’s not where he belongs. He has the game to be
in the top 10 consistently. He's just got to continue to elevate between the
ears.
Auger-Aliassime is set to face the current world number
three Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 32 on Tuesday. Amritraj, while talking about the upcoming contest, stated
that the current world number 35 will have to bring something ‘to feel good
about’ to get the better of the two-time Grand Slam winner.
“It is interesting,” he said. “He has a 3-2 record against
Alcaraz but they are both at very different stages right now. Carlos had a convincing
win over him at Indian Wells. So obviously, Carlos will start as a big favourite
but tennis is a funny game. Confidence can shift within the game. I think he
can build momentum in this Carlos match but he gonna have to bring it. He is
going to give himself something to feel good about.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.