Felix Auger-Aliassime has spoken about his positive relationship with Uncle Toni as he reached the last 16 at Roland Garros.
The Canadian cruised through to the fourth round with a 6-4 6-2 6-1 victory over Ben Shelton in a match that lasted two days.
A comfortable win means Auger-Aliassime is into the fourth round at Roland Garros for the second time in his career.
After his win Auger-Aliassime spoke about what he has learned in the past about second week of Grand Slams as he aims to reach a first Roland Garros quarter-final, “Every tournament is different. Really different. I mean, as people do we really remember how we felt, like, two years ago in January? I don’t know. It’s obviously very different,” the Canadian explained.
“You don’t always remember how you felt at that time. This time around what’s been a bit different is that I’ve been able to win my first three matches just losing one set. I’ve had runs in Australia or US Open where I was playing five sets, four sets in the early rounds.
“So I feel like I’ve spent maybe less time on court to get to the round of 16s than I have in the past, so let’s see if that’s going to help me in the future. Then what you can learn, just try to do what you have to do, train well, stay relaxed, and not stress yourself too much with other things because you need all the energy when it comes down to the details of matches and it comes down to the later rounds in tournaments.”
Auger-Aliassime has put in the hard work to reach the last 16 in Paris as the Canadian’s results have dramatically improved since parting ways with Toni Nadal earlier this year.
The world number 21 has reached a first Masters 1000 final since minimalizing his team as well as reaching the last 16 at Roland Garros.
Speaking after his win over Shelton, Auger-Aliassime said he has a good relationship with the Spaniard and liked his philosophy but decided to make his team smaller recently, “We have a good relationship. Always had. I have a huge amount of respect for Toni as a person. I think it goes both ways,” Auger-Aliassime explained.
“Clay or other surfaces, in general, I like his philosophy, the way he approaches a career with what he went through with Rafa. We can learn a lot from what he’s saying. I just like to be open and listen to what he has to say and try to absorb as much information as I can from him. I like the way he demands high qualities, consistency, what to improve on one’s game. I like to be humble when I face adversity, when I make mistakes.
“It’s important to be demanding with one’s self to try to reach the highest level possible, to accept losses as well, when they are actually very hard to take on. We have a good relationship, and I have decided lately that I wanted to make the team smaller and just my coach, my long-time coach, my dad that’s more present. Obviously, the fitness, physio part. That’s it.
“It was a decision that we made together as a family, as a team, and obviously myself making the last call. But in terms of my relationship with Toni, yeah, we’re in touch sometimes. I feel like we always will be in touch when we see each other or once in a while, a message here and there of encouragement, but that’s it really, yeah.”
The decision Auger-Aliassime has hugely benefited his career as he is into the last 16 in Paris.
Next for the Canadian is world number three Carlos Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime admits it will be a challenge but believes in his game, “But in terms of the challenge, yeah, it’s the first time we play on clay, so that’s obviously different. I beat him in indoors. He beat me twice in Indian Wells. So very different conditions now,” Auger-Aliassime explained.
“First time since US Open a while ago when he was just 18 that we played in a Grand Slam. All these things together make it different, but obviously, it’s as big of a challenge as it gets. You play one of the best players in the world. So it’s always a special match against him or Novak or Jannik. We haven’t played in a while, but these guys are, yeah, always a big challenge, but I’m feeling better and better.
“Obviously, I go out tomorrow playing what I know, doing what I do well. If I do that, then let’s see during the match how it goes. Obviously I’m always open to adapt as the match goes on to see what I’m doing well or less good and what he’s doing well, and adapt my game and my tactics.
“But, yeah, I’m going to prepare like I prepare for every match, focus on myself, and let’s see what level he brings, let’s see what I bring. It’s going to be a good match.”
Auger-Aliassime leads the head-to-head 3-2 but they have never faced each other on clay.
