"I think I have more self-confidence than from a year ago" - Auger-Aliassime on his breakthrough season

Felix Auger-Aliassime has had a stellar 2021 season with runs to the Wimbledon quarterfinals and his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, and the World No.11 is set to break into the top 10 for the first time in his career.

Having also finished runner-up in Melbourne and Stuttgart, the Canadian has credited his boost in self-confidence as the key behind his success.

"I feel more mature as a player and as a person," revealed Auger-Aliassime. "I feel like I know more what I want to do on the court. I know how I want to handle myself, how I want to play, how I want to approach the game. It might not be so precise explaining it but that's really what I feel inside."

The 21-year old has been a consistent figure on tour this season, having reached another ATP semifinal this week at the Stockholm Open (lost to Shapovalov).

"When things come together and I have more and more of a clear idea what of what I want to do, I play good tennis," added Auger-Aliassime. "And I think I have more confidence than from a year ago that I can compete with all the best players in the world, that I have a shot of beating e everybody.

"Yes, I have proved it in a way through my results. But to have that self-confidence that you can do it, really deep in yourself, I think that's the big thing that has been improved in the last year, that winning mentality."