“I forgot what made me dangerous”: Felix Auger-Aliassime reveals turning point behind US Open resurgence

Felix Auger-Aliassime has returned to the Madrid Open with a clearer tactical identity, shaped by a period of doubt and a decisive reset that began at last year’s US Open. The Canadian, a finalist in Madrid in 2024, is again positioned as a contender after navigating the early rounds with control.

Auger-Aliassime opened his campaign with a straight-sets win over Vilius Gaubas (6-3, 6-4), advancing into the third round where he is set to face Alexander Blockx. Entering as the third seed following multiple withdrawals in the draw, the Canadian benefits from a section that delays a potential meeting with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner until a possible final.

The current run follows a steady start to the clay swing. Auger-Aliassime reached the quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo before falling to Sinner, reinforcing his upward trajectory after a fluctuating period across 2023 and early 2024. His presence among the leading seeds in Madrid places him alongside names such as Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Flavio Cobolli in the same half of the draw.

Beyond results, however, the defining element of his resurgence lies in a shift in approach. Speaking during his time in Madrid, Auger-Aliassime outlined the internal process that reshaped his game after a period in which results stalled and confidence wavered.

Auger-Aliassime described the transition from steady progression to uncertainty as a critical phase in his career. While maintaining a top-30 ranking, he experienced a drop in consistency at major events, particularly compared to earlier deep runs at Grand Slams. The shift introduced unfamiliar pressure, as expectations remained while results fluctuated.

He explained that the issue was not purely technical, but psychological, noting that the accumulation of losses led to a broader questioning of his game. “Between 2023 and 2024, I was still top 30, but I was losing matches in important events," the Canadian said to The Slice podcast. "Then doubts start creeping in, and you start doubting the way you have to play. At times it becomes stressful, and I was not used to that. Tennis was always fun for me, always a progression, and suddenly it felt different.”

The Canadian emphasised that this phase required a longer-term perspective rather than immediate solutions. Each decision was part of a broader attempt to stabilise performance and rebuild confidence, ultimately leading into a stronger start to the 2025 season.

“I had to grow as a person and manage my career better, manage my body better. Those decisions are not taken in one day. You have to think about them and make sure you are doing the right things. I was very careful with the steps I was taking.”

The turning point came during the US Open, where Auger-Aliassime identified a disconnect between his natural strengths and his on-court execution. Rather than introducing new elements, the adjustment centred on returning to a more instinctive style built around his forehand and forward play.

He acknowledged that, in trying to improve weaker areas, he had moved away from the patterns that initially defined his success. The process of correction began with a simple but decisive reference point: revisiting his own performances from earlier in his career.

“You think you need to improve everything, and then you spend less time doing what you do best. For me, the forehand was always natural. But you start hearing that you can be inconsistent, so you focus on other things and lose your identity a bit.”

The shift became concrete during the tournament itself, when reviewing footage from his 2021 US Open run triggered a more aggressive mindset. That recognition translated directly into his match against Zverev, which he identified as a key moment in restoring confidence.

“Between my first and second round, I watched clips from 2021 and I just clicked. I was like, ‘I can definitely do that.’ It was about remembering my strengths. It sounds simple, but it changed everything in how I wanted to play.”