prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
SUGGESTION: If someone disagrees with you online, you don't have to instantly conclude that they're the worst person in the world. There's actually such a thing as disagreeing in good faith.
The Ascent To The Throne Begins For Felix Auger Aliassime
- Thread starter stringertom
- Start date
EloQuent
Legend
Did anyone here do that?
Soul_Evisceration
Hall of Fame
It's not just in regards to Felix having little chances vs Nadal in Madrid despite his poor form to his standards despite having little chances vs Nadal unless he doesn't let his serve up, he mixes up with the volleys and dropshots and his Down The Line Forehand and Backhand, he might have a decent shot.
It's just the way you savagely put down Shapovalov and Felix like they are nobodies and the fact that Shapovalov lost 4 matches in a row on his worst surface and changing coaches makes it seem all like doom and gloom.
I wouldn't worry about Shapovalov once he gets his movement anticipation, point construction and when to pull the trigger on big shots on key moments and you will see the upscale.
Felix IMO will be the biggest Canadian tennis player that will emerge. Of course we won't see his full potential for the next 3 to 5 years but he only seems to get better. Just be patient with both players.
Personally, if Felix does not win GS in next two years I will be very disappointed. And if he does not become #1 in 3 years ditto.
I may have different expectation if there was 25 yo Nadal/Djoker/Federer however with almost 32/33/38 yo Nadal/Djoker/Federer and no great player aged 20-29 (great player - not ATG, just Roddick level)...
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
I think you're misreading my posts. They're not nobodies and I've never suggested they were. If I suggest changes are needed, that's no different than anyone else who says the same thing about other players here. It's called discussion. And, I've never engaged in "doom and gloom". I've always said there's no way to know how their careers will pan out, but I wish them both the best. As to the coaching issue, I'll leave it as enough has been said.
Master_Funk
Rookie
Could play Federer in the third round, but it sounds like fed may not play the event , so defo a better draw than Madrid.
vernonbc
Legend
This is pretty long and the translation is pretty rough but it's full of interesting tidbits about FAA and his family.
The Françoise Inizan team published on Friday, may 10, 2019 at 12:00
ATP: Félix Auger-Aliassime, prodigy programmed for the summits
At 18 years old, the Quebec Phenomenon Félix Auger-Aliassime, from the 108th to the 30th world place in five months, adds to pure talent a pleasure of the game and a huge smile. Everyone agrees: the mbappé of the courts, it's him.
We call it " FAA " or " fa2 " or félix because it's always very short and that at 18 years old, it's well known, we don't have time to lose. By the way, it's already hitting fast and early, this morning, on the court no. 19 of the madrid open where félix auger-Aliassime trains with Switzerland Stan Wawrinka. Bing, here are the feet, bright orange battoirs, which take off a meter at the service. Bang, here is the neon pink shorts that spin under the prodigious acceleration of the right shot.
On the turquoise tarp of the short, the silhouette athletic of Félix Auger-Aliassime cuts like on a painting by Andy Warhol. There's energy in the air, the breath, the peps and it's laughing. No doubt, it's pop tennis that is drawing there. At the end of the session, although manhandled in the mini-match won by FAA, wawrinka, 34 years old, almost double age and always bonnard, is indignant by wiping his head sweaty: " Ah, Felix, It doesn't get me younger, it's clear. Already up, so young, he's gone to settle even higher. It's going to be an amazing career! " " "
Two brutal accelerations and it didn't need more to "fa2" to barreling on the stage of the circuit. A first atp final in Rio in February and especially a semi-final at the Masters 1 000 of Miami at the end of March revealed the youngest player of the top 30. The first of the generation z, following the one, y, of the 20 years old, from his Canadian boyfriend Denis Shapovalov (20th world), from the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (9th) or the Australian Alex de minaur (27th), Auger-Aliassime line-up time Passing similar to the greatest, starting with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Youngest Player-14 years old - to win a game on the challenger circuit. First "Millennial" (he was born on August 8, 2000) to score atp points at 15 years old, in 2015. Victory at the us open junior in 2016. He was ranked 108th in January? He's pointing at the 30th world place today. A little earlier in the season, Roger Federer had summarized the phenomenon: " I saw right away that he had something special when I trained with him in Dubai. The way it happens to speed up in a straight and backhand shot, its excellent leg game. It's coming to slide on hard. This is the new generation, they are less afraid than us. I like his attitude.
The compliment makes the kid smile that we find at the madrid player s' show, on the breakfast. Finally, it's not really a kid who's moving forward from his supple, quiet approach, smile to the lips. He folded his long carcass of 1,93 m to sit on a high stool, crossed his arms on his muscular bust. No cell phone by hand. It expresses itself as an adult, words chosen, without Quebec accent, but with a Canadian relaxation punctuated by "you see" that create a warm proximity, rare in the interviews of tennismen. " I think federer was talking about us physically, is he having fun. We are very beautiful athletes: Shapo, zverev, tiafoe... we slide on hard, we're not afraid, we don't ban anything. We bring something else. Very early, instinctively, I practiced an aggressive, spectacular game, yes. Little one, I already liked to hit, create the game. I loved doing winning shots rather than being the one who doesn't make mistakes. " " "
A trust without any arrogance. " what seduces at home, corroborates arnaud di pasquale, EX-player and dtn, today commentator for Eurosport, it is this freshness, his desire, his dynamism. Félix seems basically happy to be on the field. I compare it to kylian mbappé, who likes to exchange with the audience, who plays with pleasure, smile and has lots of things to communicate. " yes, the two signs have in common the cheerful insolence, the enchanted sass of youth. " Mbappé, I love it! ", exclaimed " fa2 ". he retweeted a post from the footballer who said " we are never too young to succeed " and followed the matches of the blue during the world cup while he was On a challenger tournament in marburg, Germany.
Both also share a literal devotion for their sport. " tennis is vital for our family, let go " FAA ". it's a passion that transcends us. " same strict education again. Same sense of responsibilities. As for mbappé, the family plays a major role in the balance of Auger-Aliassime. Former Togolese Player, Sam Aliassime, the father, is today director of a tennis academy in the suburbs of Quebec where his son began to play at 6 years old. Sam, at the time simple coach, trained "FAA" until his 14th birthday, until the son joined in Montreal the the Federation National Training Centre, tennis Canada, where two french coaches, frédéric fontang and Guillaume Marx, took the relay.
Captivating, captivating, Sam speaks with overflowing energy, the one you see well in the son: " Félix does not only play tennis, he lives tennis. Little one, he was always there with me on the field. He disappeared, sometimes for three hours. I was looking for it. ' ' where you were?'' ' ' I was playing in five sets with a boyfriend '. He knew by heart the final Federer-Nadal of Roland-Garros 2011, who had fascinated him. Once, I was napping, he wakes me up, all excited. I ask him what he has: ' ' I prepare myself physically for the five sets' '. " Sam is from a family of thirteen children whose parents held a small hotel for cooperating in sokodé, the second city of Togo.
Auger-Aliassime, an undeniable charisma
He said, " there was a tennis court. We're having fun with snowshoes cut in boards. You had to do 300 km to buy bullets. " he plays with the children of the cooperating, becomes a coach, then goes up to 23 years a small tennis club. This is where he meets his wife, Marie, a Quebec who came to volunteer in schools and wanted to learn tennis... a more laid mom, today professor in the superior in Montreal. "I was working the engine, the brain", laugh at the father. Félix: " I was lucky to have this balance. " two years later, the couple is going to settle in Quebec where malika, the sister, excellent player she also, and félix.
Very early, his parents will give him the sense of responsibility. "in Africa, children are more autonomous", says Sam. Olivier Carlier had a good time when he was in the detection team for the brand snowshoe brand, on the best world tournament of the 12 years, the super 12 of auray, in the morbihan. In this year 2012, "fa2" had won, like nadal and Murray before him. " he was handling his material alone while usually, it's the parents or coaches who do it. He also wrote a mail to me to say what his needs were. " the brand then turns a video of the kid presenting the content of his tennis bag, as the pros often do for their supplier. Pictures of the perfect little vrp came out after Miami and created the buzz. " we hadn't done any rehearsal, no brief. His ease to express himself and his aplomb had amazed me. " " "
"FAA" has always been a natural leader. His physical trainer, French Nicolas Perrotte, who has been working with him since 2017, remembers: " when we were doing long snowshoe outings in the snow, backpack, he was the one who decided on the path to take, map in Hand, when other kids let themselves be lead. He never was. "" I always told him to never do things half, but to commit to the contrary totally, resumes sam aliassime. If you do something, do it right. Same at school. If you write french, write good French, without fault. " Auger-Aliassime has an undeniable charisma.
" he makes me think of Yannick Noah, says Louis Borfiga, the French Technician Vice-President of the federation at the origin of the current tennis boom in the country. When Yannick entered a room, he was giving up something. Félix also attracts the eyes. " Yannick Noah had come to comfort him on the court after his lost final at Roland-Garros Juniors in 2016 against French Geoffrey Blancaneaux. The Canadian: " he told me that I made him think of him... " the father was to angels, " Yannick, that was my idol. " " "
"FAA" is not afraid of the crowd, he likes to play with her, on the contrary. In Miami, during one of his matches, Cuban music suddenly rises from behind the court. His opponent stops, abashed. He gets to dance. In Rio, he put on the jersey of the football team of Brazil that his sparring-partner offered him. The public loves and is " Felix! "the more the world in the stadium, the better it is", advance the father. " but I'm not a showman, it's not my temper. I just like to connect with the public ", correct the phenomenon.
"he was 16 when I started working with him, but he already had a very strong project and a maturity out of standard for his age", remembers frédéric fontang. The French coach formed jérémy chardy from his 12th birthday to his 30th world rank, and then worked with Caroline Garcia and his dad before being called in Canada by Louis Borfiga. He has been taking care of "FAA" since January 2017 with Guillaume Marx who lives in Montreal. " Félix has exceptional physical qualities. It can be explosive, fast, hit hard. But he adds to that of humility. He works hard and remains feet on earth, explains fontang. And then with him, we can discuss everything, it's rare at this age. " " "
..../2
The Françoise Inizan team published on Friday, may 10, 2019 at 12:00
ATP: Félix Auger-Aliassime, prodigy programmed for the summits
At 18 years old, the Quebec Phenomenon Félix Auger-Aliassime, from the 108th to the 30th world place in five months, adds to pure talent a pleasure of the game and a huge smile. Everyone agrees: the mbappé of the courts, it's him.
We call it " FAA " or " fa2 " or félix because it's always very short and that at 18 years old, it's well known, we don't have time to lose. By the way, it's already hitting fast and early, this morning, on the court no. 19 of the madrid open where félix auger-Aliassime trains with Switzerland Stan Wawrinka. Bing, here are the feet, bright orange battoirs, which take off a meter at the service. Bang, here is the neon pink shorts that spin under the prodigious acceleration of the right shot.
On the turquoise tarp of the short, the silhouette athletic of Félix Auger-Aliassime cuts like on a painting by Andy Warhol. There's energy in the air, the breath, the peps and it's laughing. No doubt, it's pop tennis that is drawing there. At the end of the session, although manhandled in the mini-match won by FAA, wawrinka, 34 years old, almost double age and always bonnard, is indignant by wiping his head sweaty: " Ah, Felix, It doesn't get me younger, it's clear. Already up, so young, he's gone to settle even higher. It's going to be an amazing career! " " "
Two brutal accelerations and it didn't need more to "fa2" to barreling on the stage of the circuit. A first atp final in Rio in February and especially a semi-final at the Masters 1 000 of Miami at the end of March revealed the youngest player of the top 30. The first of the generation z, following the one, y, of the 20 years old, from his Canadian boyfriend Denis Shapovalov (20th world), from the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (9th) or the Australian Alex de minaur (27th), Auger-Aliassime line-up time Passing similar to the greatest, starting with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Youngest Player-14 years old - to win a game on the challenger circuit. First "Millennial" (he was born on August 8, 2000) to score atp points at 15 years old, in 2015. Victory at the us open junior in 2016. He was ranked 108th in January? He's pointing at the 30th world place today. A little earlier in the season, Roger Federer had summarized the phenomenon: " I saw right away that he had something special when I trained with him in Dubai. The way it happens to speed up in a straight and backhand shot, its excellent leg game. It's coming to slide on hard. This is the new generation, they are less afraid than us. I like his attitude.
The compliment makes the kid smile that we find at the madrid player s' show, on the breakfast. Finally, it's not really a kid who's moving forward from his supple, quiet approach, smile to the lips. He folded his long carcass of 1,93 m to sit on a high stool, crossed his arms on his muscular bust. No cell phone by hand. It expresses itself as an adult, words chosen, without Quebec accent, but with a Canadian relaxation punctuated by "you see" that create a warm proximity, rare in the interviews of tennismen. " I think federer was talking about us physically, is he having fun. We are very beautiful athletes: Shapo, zverev, tiafoe... we slide on hard, we're not afraid, we don't ban anything. We bring something else. Very early, instinctively, I practiced an aggressive, spectacular game, yes. Little one, I already liked to hit, create the game. I loved doing winning shots rather than being the one who doesn't make mistakes. " " "
A trust without any arrogance. " what seduces at home, corroborates arnaud di pasquale, EX-player and dtn, today commentator for Eurosport, it is this freshness, his desire, his dynamism. Félix seems basically happy to be on the field. I compare it to kylian mbappé, who likes to exchange with the audience, who plays with pleasure, smile and has lots of things to communicate. " yes, the two signs have in common the cheerful insolence, the enchanted sass of youth. " Mbappé, I love it! ", exclaimed " fa2 ". he retweeted a post from the footballer who said " we are never too young to succeed " and followed the matches of the blue during the world cup while he was On a challenger tournament in marburg, Germany.
Both also share a literal devotion for their sport. " tennis is vital for our family, let go " FAA ". it's a passion that transcends us. " same strict education again. Same sense of responsibilities. As for mbappé, the family plays a major role in the balance of Auger-Aliassime. Former Togolese Player, Sam Aliassime, the father, is today director of a tennis academy in the suburbs of Quebec where his son began to play at 6 years old. Sam, at the time simple coach, trained "FAA" until his 14th birthday, until the son joined in Montreal the the Federation National Training Centre, tennis Canada, where two french coaches, frédéric fontang and Guillaume Marx, took the relay.
Captivating, captivating, Sam speaks with overflowing energy, the one you see well in the son: " Félix does not only play tennis, he lives tennis. Little one, he was always there with me on the field. He disappeared, sometimes for three hours. I was looking for it. ' ' where you were?'' ' ' I was playing in five sets with a boyfriend '. He knew by heart the final Federer-Nadal of Roland-Garros 2011, who had fascinated him. Once, I was napping, he wakes me up, all excited. I ask him what he has: ' ' I prepare myself physically for the five sets' '. " Sam is from a family of thirteen children whose parents held a small hotel for cooperating in sokodé, the second city of Togo.
Auger-Aliassime, an undeniable charisma
He said, " there was a tennis court. We're having fun with snowshoes cut in boards. You had to do 300 km to buy bullets. " he plays with the children of the cooperating, becomes a coach, then goes up to 23 years a small tennis club. This is where he meets his wife, Marie, a Quebec who came to volunteer in schools and wanted to learn tennis... a more laid mom, today professor in the superior in Montreal. "I was working the engine, the brain", laugh at the father. Félix: " I was lucky to have this balance. " two years later, the couple is going to settle in Quebec where malika, the sister, excellent player she also, and félix.
Very early, his parents will give him the sense of responsibility. "in Africa, children are more autonomous", says Sam. Olivier Carlier had a good time when he was in the detection team for the brand snowshoe brand, on the best world tournament of the 12 years, the super 12 of auray, in the morbihan. In this year 2012, "fa2" had won, like nadal and Murray before him. " he was handling his material alone while usually, it's the parents or coaches who do it. He also wrote a mail to me to say what his needs were. " the brand then turns a video of the kid presenting the content of his tennis bag, as the pros often do for their supplier. Pictures of the perfect little vrp came out after Miami and created the buzz. " we hadn't done any rehearsal, no brief. His ease to express himself and his aplomb had amazed me. " " "
"FAA" has always been a natural leader. His physical trainer, French Nicolas Perrotte, who has been working with him since 2017, remembers: " when we were doing long snowshoe outings in the snow, backpack, he was the one who decided on the path to take, map in Hand, when other kids let themselves be lead. He never was. "" I always told him to never do things half, but to commit to the contrary totally, resumes sam aliassime. If you do something, do it right. Same at school. If you write french, write good French, without fault. " Auger-Aliassime has an undeniable charisma.
" he makes me think of Yannick Noah, says Louis Borfiga, the French Technician Vice-President of the federation at the origin of the current tennis boom in the country. When Yannick entered a room, he was giving up something. Félix also attracts the eyes. " Yannick Noah had come to comfort him on the court after his lost final at Roland-Garros Juniors in 2016 against French Geoffrey Blancaneaux. The Canadian: " he told me that I made him think of him... " the father was to angels, " Yannick, that was my idol. " " "
"FAA" is not afraid of the crowd, he likes to play with her, on the contrary. In Miami, during one of his matches, Cuban music suddenly rises from behind the court. His opponent stops, abashed. He gets to dance. In Rio, he put on the jersey of the football team of Brazil that his sparring-partner offered him. The public loves and is " Felix! "the more the world in the stadium, the better it is", advance the father. " but I'm not a showman, it's not my temper. I just like to connect with the public ", correct the phenomenon.
"he was 16 when I started working with him, but he already had a very strong project and a maturity out of standard for his age", remembers frédéric fontang. The French coach formed jérémy chardy from his 12th birthday to his 30th world rank, and then worked with Caroline Garcia and his dad before being called in Canada by Louis Borfiga. He has been taking care of "FAA" since January 2017 with Guillaume Marx who lives in Montreal. " Félix has exceptional physical qualities. It can be explosive, fast, hit hard. But he adds to that of humility. He works hard and remains feet on earth, explains fontang. And then with him, we can discuss everything, it's rare at this age. " " "
..../2
vernonbc
Legend
2/..
He's talking about philosophy, music. "fa2" has been playing piano since its 7th birthday. " my grandma and my mother have done piano all their lives, they are artists. " he loves the French song, put some aznavour in the car that drove the friends to the tournaments. He's also interested in politics, likes to stay late to discuss at night, at the table. "during the Miami Tournament, we watched live the speech of Emmanuel Macron on the great debate, it was important", says the father. Auger-Aliassime would like to undertake design, fashion or architecture studies. And enrich his knowledge in business to assemble his own tennis academy with his father as an advisor. "an ultimate dream", he says.
With the energy of the new world, Félix Auger-Aliassime wears the passion of a Canadian tennis who lives what French tennis has known in the 80-90 s with the emergence of the tsonga-Monfils-Gasquet Generation. Arrived in 2006, Louis Borfiga left a white leaf. " the adventure began with the will of Canadian leaders to become a reference nation. " Hiring Good French Coaches (including Nathalie Tauziat and the three coaches of félix). Creation in 2007 of the national centre then from four regional centres. Pushing children's detection. "in Canada, the stars remain the uwh, of course, but tennis is the sport that goes up", entrust borfiga.
Behind Milos Raonic (28 years old, 16th ATP), arrive Bianca Andreescu (18 years old, 23TH WTA), Denis Shapovalov and "FAA". between these two, the duel will be announced Already throbbing. Two opposite physics, the blonde, the brown. Two personalities to the extremes. " it's fufu when I'm pretty justified. In his room, it's the complete mess. Mine is row ", getting fed up auger-Aliassime. The first game between the two buddies took place last Sunday in Madrid. "fa2" won (6-2, 7-6) while shapovalov had been a semi-finalist the year before. One hell of a perf.
Perhaps this victory, important, is it due to the new principle of wisdom that félix has set himself this season and who has served him as a shot. " I'm only 18 years old and despite the strong expectations, I now reserve the right to lose. On the other hand, I always have to play the right way. Go get the matches, don't play conservative, don't be afraid of failure. This is just how I will win a day of great tournaments. " " "
...
He's talking about philosophy, music. "fa2" has been playing piano since its 7th birthday. " my grandma and my mother have done piano all their lives, they are artists. " he loves the French song, put some aznavour in the car that drove the friends to the tournaments. He's also interested in politics, likes to stay late to discuss at night, at the table. "during the Miami Tournament, we watched live the speech of Emmanuel Macron on the great debate, it was important", says the father. Auger-Aliassime would like to undertake design, fashion or architecture studies. And enrich his knowledge in business to assemble his own tennis academy with his father as an advisor. "an ultimate dream", he says.
With the energy of the new world, Félix Auger-Aliassime wears the passion of a Canadian tennis who lives what French tennis has known in the 80-90 s with the emergence of the tsonga-Monfils-Gasquet Generation. Arrived in 2006, Louis Borfiga left a white leaf. " the adventure began with the will of Canadian leaders to become a reference nation. " Hiring Good French Coaches (including Nathalie Tauziat and the three coaches of félix). Creation in 2007 of the national centre then from four regional centres. Pushing children's detection. "in Canada, the stars remain the uwh, of course, but tennis is the sport that goes up", entrust borfiga.
Behind Milos Raonic (28 years old, 16th ATP), arrive Bianca Andreescu (18 years old, 23TH WTA), Denis Shapovalov and "FAA". between these two, the duel will be announced Already throbbing. Two opposite physics, the blonde, the brown. Two personalities to the extremes. " it's fufu when I'm pretty justified. In his room, it's the complete mess. Mine is row ", getting fed up auger-Aliassime. The first game between the two buddies took place last Sunday in Madrid. "fa2" won (6-2, 7-6) while shapovalov had been a semi-finalist the year before. One hell of a perf.
Perhaps this victory, important, is it due to the new principle of wisdom that félix has set himself this season and who has served him as a shot. " I'm only 18 years old and despite the strong expectations, I now reserve the right to lose. On the other hand, I always have to play the right way. Go get the matches, don't play conservative, don't be afraid of failure. This is just how I will win a day of great tournaments. " " "
...
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Sadly, Felix lost to Coric.
Pmasterfunk
Hall of Fame
Can you post the original link? I'll assume it's a french article.
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
Felix did well to win the first set of his match against Borna Coric in Rome earlier today, especially considering that at one stage the Canadian lost thirteen points in a row to go down 2-4, 0-30. But he steadied himself and played well in the tiebreak that ended the first set. However, Felix was not consistent enough and did not serve well enough in the next two sets, while Coric played more solidly and served better to record an unspectacular 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 victory.
vernonbc
Legend
It's French but I think it was Quebecois French which can be quite different. I dug back on Facebook and found the post but she didn't post a link. I'll post the original French article and hopefully that'll work for you.
Impressionnant...
L’Equipe Françoise Inizan Publié le vendredi 10 mai 2019 à 12:00
ATP : Félix Auger-Aliassime, prodige programmé pour les sommets
À 18 ans, le phénomène québécois Félix Auger-Aliassime, passé de la 108e à la 30e place mondiale en cinq mois, ajoute au talent pur un plaisir du jeu et un sourire immenses. Tout le monde est d'accord : le Mbappé des courts, c'est lui.
On le surnomme « FAA » ou « FA2 » ou Félix parce qu'il fait toujours très court et qu'à 18 ans, c'est bien connu, on n'a pas de temps à perdre. D'ailleurs, ça cogne déjà vite et tôt, ce matin-là, sur le court n° 19 de l'Open de Madrid où Félix Auger-Aliassime s'entraîne avec le Suisse Stan Wawrinka. Bing, voilà les pieds, des battoirs orange vif, qui décollent à un mètre au service. Bang, voici le short rose fluo qui vrille sous l'accélération prodigieuse du coup droit.
Sur la bâche turquoise du court, l'athlétique silhouette de Félix Auger-Aliassime se découpe comme sur un tableau d'Andy Warhol. Il y a de l'énergie vitaminée dans l'air, du souffle, du peps et ça rigole. Pas de doute, c'est du pop tennis qui se dessine là. À la fin de la session, bien que malmené dans le mini-match gagné par FAA, Wawrinka, 34 ans, quasi le double d'âge et toujours bonnard, se récrie en s'essuyant la tête en sueur : « Ah, Félix, ça ne me rajeunit pas, c'est clair. Déjà en haut, si jeune, il est parti pour s'installer encore plus haut. Ça va être une carrière incroyable ! »
Deux accélérations brutales et il n'en fallait pas plus à « FA2 » pour débouler sur l'avant-scène du circuit. Une première finale ATP à Rio en février et surtout une demi-finale au Masters 1 000 de Miami fin mars ont révélé le plus jeune joueur du Top 30. Le premier de la génération Z, suivant celle, Y, des 20 ans, de son grand copain canadien Denis Shapovalov (20e mondial), du Grec Stefanos Tsitsipas (9e) ou de l'Australien Alex de Minaur (27e), Auger- Aliassime aligne des temps de passage semblables aux plus grands, à commencer par Rafael Nadal et Roger Federer.
Plus jeune joueur - 14 ans - à remporter un match sur le circuit Challenger.
Premier « millennial » (il est né le 8 août 2000) à marquer des points ATP à 15 ans, en 2015. Victoire à l'US Open junior en 2016. Il était classé 108e en janvier ? Il pointe à la 30e place mondiale aujourd'hui. Un peu plus tôt dans la saison, Roger Federer avait résumé le phénomène : « J'ai vu tout de suite qu'il avait quelque chose de spécial quand je me suis entraîné avec lui à Dubaï. La manière dont il arrive à accélérer en coup droit et en revers, son jeu de jambes excellent. Il arrive à glisser sur dur. C'est la nouvelle génération, ils ont moins peur que nous. J'aime bien son attitude.
Le compliment fait sourire le gamin qu'on retrouve au salon des joueurs de Madrid, sur le coup du déjeuner. Enfin, ce n'est pas vraiment un gamin qui s'avance de sa démarche souple, tranquille, le sourire aux lèvres. Il a plié sa longue carcasse de 1,93 m pour s'asseoir sur un tabouret haut, croisé posément les bras sur son buste musclé. Pas de portable à la main. Il s'exprime comme un adulte, mots choisis, sans accent québécois, mais avec une décontraction toute canadienne ponctuée de « tu vois » qui créent une proximité chaleureuse, rare dans les interviews de tennismen. « Je pense que Federer parlait de nous physiquement, s'amuse-t-il. On est de très beaux athlètes : Shapo, Zverev, Tiafoe... On glisse sur dur, on n'a pas peur, on ne s'interdit rien. On apporte autre chose. Très tôt, instinctivement, j'ai pratiqué un jeu agressif, spectaculaire, oui. Petit, j'aimais déjà bien frapper, créer le jeu. J'aimais faire des coups gagnants plutôt qu'être celui qui ne fait pas de fautes. »
Une confiance sans aucune arrogance. « Ce qui séduit chez lui, corrobore Arnaud Di Pasquale, ex-joueur et DTN, aujourd'hui commentateur pour Eurosport, c'est cette fraîcheur, son envie, son dynamisme. Félix semble fondamentalement heureux d'être sur le terrain. Je le compare à Kylian Mbappé, qui aime échanger avec le public, qui joue avec le plaisir, le sourire et a plein de choses à communiquer. » Oui, les deux prodiges ont en commun l'insolence joyeuse, le culot enchanté de la jeunesse. « Mbappé, j'adore ! », s'exclame « FA2 ». Il a retweeté un post du footballeur qui disait « on n'est jamais trop jeune pour réussir » et suivi les matches des Bleus pendant la Coupe du monde alors qu'il était sur un tournoi Challenger à Marbourg, en Allemagne.
Les deux partagent aussi une dévotion littérale pour leur sport. « Le tennis, c'est vital pour notre famille, lâche « FAA ». C'est une passion qui nous transcende. » Même éducation stricte encore. Même sens des responsabilités. Comme pour Mbappé, la famille joue un rôle majeur dans l'équilibre d'Auger-Aliassime. Ancien joueur togolais, Sam Aliassime, le père, est aujourd'hui directeur d'une académie de tennis dans la banlieue de Québec où son fils a commencé à jouer à 6 ans. Sam, à l'époque simple entraîneur, a formé « FAA » jusqu'à ses 14 ans, jusqu'à ce que le fiston rejoigne à Montréal le centre national d'entraînement de la fédération, Tennis Canada, où deux entraîneurs français, Frédéric Fontang et Guillaume Marx, ont pris le relais.
Volubile, captivant, Sam parle avec une énergie débordante, celle qu'on voit bien chez le fils : « Félix ne joue pas seulement au tennis, il vit le tennis. Petit, il était toujours là avec moi sur le terrain. Il disparaissait, parfois pendant trois heures. Je le cherchais. ''Où t'étais ?'' ''Je jouais en cinq sets avec un copain''. Il connaissait par coeur la finale Federer-Nadal de Roland-Garros 2011, qui l'avait fasciné. Une fois, je faisais la sieste, il me réveille, tout excité. Je lui demande ce qu'il a : ''Je me prépare physiquement pour les cinq sets''. » Sam est issu d'une famille de treize enfants dont les parents tenaient un petit hôtel pour coopérants à Sokodé, la deuxième ville du Togo.
Auger-Aliassime, un charisme indéniable
Il raconte : « Il y avait un court de tennis. Nous, on s'amusait avec des raquettes taillées dans des planches. Il fallait faire 300 km pour acheter des balles. » Il joue avec les enfants des coopérants, devient entraîneur, puis monte à 23 ans un petit club de tennis. C'est là qu'il rencontre sa femme, Marie, une Québécoise venue faire du bénévolat en écoles et qui voulait apprendre le tennis... Une maman plus posée, aujourd'hui professeur dans le supérieur à Montréal. « Je travaillais le moteur, elle le cerveau », rigole le père. Félix : « J'ai été chanceux d'avoir cet équilibre. » Deux ans plus ****, le couple part s'installer au Québec où naissent Malika, la soeur, excellente joueuse elle aussi, et Félix.
Très tôt, ses parents lui inculquent le sens des responsabilités. « En Afrique, les enfants sont plus autonomes », dit Sam. Olivier Carlier s'en est bien rendu compte lorsqu'il était dans l'équipe de détection pour la marque de raquettes Babolat, sur le meilleur tournoi mondial des 12 ans, le Super 12 d'Auray, dans le Morbihan. En cette année 2012, « FA2 » avait gagné, comme Nadal et Murray avant lui. « Il gérait son matériel seul alors que d'habitude, ce sont les parents ou les entraîneurs qui le font. Il m'écrivait aussi lui-même des mails pour dire quels étaient ses besoins. » La marque tourne alors une vidéo du gamin présentant le contenu de son sac de tennis, comme le font souvent les pros pour leur équipementier. Des images du parfait petit VRP ressorties après Miami et qui ont créé le buzz. « On n'avait fait aucune répétition, aucun brief. Son aisance à s'exprimer et son aplomb m'avaient bluffé. »
vernonbc
Legend
« FAA » a toujours été un leader naturel. Son entraîneur physique, le Français Nicolas Perrotte, qui travaille avec lui depuis 2017, se souvient : « Quand on faisait de longues sorties en raquettes dans la neige, sac à dos, il était celui qui décidait du chemin à prendre, carte en main, quand d'autres gamins se laissent mener. Il ne subissait jamais. »« Je lui ai toujours dit de ne jamais faire les choses à moitié, mais de s'engager au contraire totalement, reprend Sam Aliassime. Si tu fais quelque chose, fais-le bien. Pareil à l'école. Si tu écris le français, écris du bon français, sans faute. » Auger-Aliassime possède un charisme indéniable.
« Il me fait penser à Yannick Noah, dit Louis Borfiga, le technicien français vice-président de la fédération canadienne à l'origine de l'actuel boom du tennis dans le pays. Quand Yannick entrait dans une pièce, il dégageait quelque chose. Félix aussi attire les regards. » Yannick Noah était venu le consoler sur le court après sa finale perdue à Roland-Garros juniors en 2016 contre le Français Geoffrey Blancaneaux. Le Canadien : « Il m'avait dit que je lui faisais penser à lui... » Le père était aux anges, « Yannick, c'était mon idole. »
« FAA » n'a pas peur de la foule, il aime jouer avec elle, au contraire. À Miami, au cours de l'un de ses matches, de la musique cubaine s'élève soudain de derrière le court. Son adversaire s'arrête, décontenancé. Lui se met à danser. À Rio, il enfile le maillot de l'équipe de foot du Brésil que son sparring-partner lui a offert. Le public adore et s'égosille « Féliiiiix ! » « Plus il y a du monde dans le stade, meilleur il est », avance le père. « Mais je ne suis pas un showman, ce n'est pas mon tempérament. J'aime juste bien connecter avec le public », corrige le phénomène.
« Il avait 16 ans quand j'ai commencé à travailler avec lui, mais il possédait déjà un projet très fort et une maturité hors norme pour son âge », se souvient Frédéric Fontang. Le coach français a formé Jérémy Chardy de ses 12 ans jusqu'à son 30e rang mondial, puis a travaillé avec Caroline Garcia et son papa avant d'être appelé au Canada par Louis Borfiga. Il s'occupe depuis janvier 2017 de « FAA » en binôme avec Guillaume Marx qui vit, lui, à Montréal. « Félix a des qualités physiques exceptionnelles. Il peut être explosif, rapide, frapper fort. Mais il ajoute à cela de l'humilité. Il travaille dur et reste les pieds sur terre, explique Fontang. Et puis avec lui, on peut discuter de tout, c'est rare à cet âge. »
Il discute de philosophie, de musique. « FA2 » joue du piano depuis ses 7 ans. « Ma grand-mère et ma mère ont fait du piano toute leur vie, ce sont des artistes. » Il aime la chanson française, mettait du Aznavour à fond dans la voiture qui conduisait les copains aux tournois. Il s'intéresse aussi à la politique, aime rester **** à discuter le soir, à table. « Pendant le tournoi de Miami, on a regardé en direct le discours d'Emmanuel Macron sur le grand débat, c'était important », dit le père. Auger-Aliassime aimerait entreprendre des études de design, de mode ou d'architecture. Et enrichir ses connaissances en business pour monter sa propre académie de tennis avec son père comme conseiller. « Un rêve ultime », dit-il.
Avec l'énergie du nouveau monde, Félix Auger-Aliassime porte la fougue d'un tennis canadien qui vit ce que le tennis français a connu dans les années 80-90 avec l'émergence de la génération Tsonga-Monfils-Gasquet. Arrivé en 2006, Louis Borfiga est pourtant parti d'une feuille blanche. « L'aventure a commencé par la volonté des dirigeants canadiens de devenir une nation de référence. » Embauche de bons entraîneurs français (dont Nathalie Tauziat et les trois coaches de Félix). Création en 2007 du Centre National puis de quatre centres régionaux. Détection poussée des enfants. « Au Canada, les stars restent les hockeyeurs, bien sûr, mais le tennis est le sport qui monte », confie Borfiga.
Derrière Milos Raonic (28 ans, 16e ATP), arrivent Bianca Andreescu (18 ans, 23e WTA), Denis Shapovalov et « FAA ». Entre ces deux-là, le duel s'annonce déjà palpitant. Deux physiques opposés, le blond, le brun. Deux personnalités aux extrêmes. « Il est foufou quand moi, je suis plutôt cadré. Dans sa chambre, c'est le désordre complet. La mienne est rangée », se marre Auger-Aliassime. Le premier match entre les deux potes a eu lieu dimanche dernier à Madrid. « FA2 » a gagné (6-2, 7-6) alors que Shapovalov avait été demi-finaliste l'année d'avant. Une sacrée perf'.
Peut-être cette victoire, importante, est-elle due au nouveau principe de sagesse que Félix s'est fixé cette saison et qui lui a servi de déclic. « Je n'ai que 18 ans et malgré les fortes attentes, je me réserve désormais le droit de perdre. En revanche, je dois toujours jouer de la bonne façon. Aller chercher les matches, ne pas jouer conservateur, ne pas avoir peur de l'échec. Ce n'est que comme ça que je gagnerai un jour de grands tournois. »
« Il me fait penser à Yannick Noah, dit Louis Borfiga, le technicien français vice-président de la fédération canadienne à l'origine de l'actuel boom du tennis dans le pays. Quand Yannick entrait dans une pièce, il dégageait quelque chose. Félix aussi attire les regards. » Yannick Noah était venu le consoler sur le court après sa finale perdue à Roland-Garros juniors en 2016 contre le Français Geoffrey Blancaneaux. Le Canadien : « Il m'avait dit que je lui faisais penser à lui... » Le père était aux anges, « Yannick, c'était mon idole. »
« FAA » n'a pas peur de la foule, il aime jouer avec elle, au contraire. À Miami, au cours de l'un de ses matches, de la musique cubaine s'élève soudain de derrière le court. Son adversaire s'arrête, décontenancé. Lui se met à danser. À Rio, il enfile le maillot de l'équipe de foot du Brésil que son sparring-partner lui a offert. Le public adore et s'égosille « Féliiiiix ! » « Plus il y a du monde dans le stade, meilleur il est », avance le père. « Mais je ne suis pas un showman, ce n'est pas mon tempérament. J'aime juste bien connecter avec le public », corrige le phénomène.
« Il avait 16 ans quand j'ai commencé à travailler avec lui, mais il possédait déjà un projet très fort et une maturité hors norme pour son âge », se souvient Frédéric Fontang. Le coach français a formé Jérémy Chardy de ses 12 ans jusqu'à son 30e rang mondial, puis a travaillé avec Caroline Garcia et son papa avant d'être appelé au Canada par Louis Borfiga. Il s'occupe depuis janvier 2017 de « FAA » en binôme avec Guillaume Marx qui vit, lui, à Montréal. « Félix a des qualités physiques exceptionnelles. Il peut être explosif, rapide, frapper fort. Mais il ajoute à cela de l'humilité. Il travaille dur et reste les pieds sur terre, explique Fontang. Et puis avec lui, on peut discuter de tout, c'est rare à cet âge. »
Il discute de philosophie, de musique. « FA2 » joue du piano depuis ses 7 ans. « Ma grand-mère et ma mère ont fait du piano toute leur vie, ce sont des artistes. » Il aime la chanson française, mettait du Aznavour à fond dans la voiture qui conduisait les copains aux tournois. Il s'intéresse aussi à la politique, aime rester **** à discuter le soir, à table. « Pendant le tournoi de Miami, on a regardé en direct le discours d'Emmanuel Macron sur le grand débat, c'était important », dit le père. Auger-Aliassime aimerait entreprendre des études de design, de mode ou d'architecture. Et enrichir ses connaissances en business pour monter sa propre académie de tennis avec son père comme conseiller. « Un rêve ultime », dit-il.
Avec l'énergie du nouveau monde, Félix Auger-Aliassime porte la fougue d'un tennis canadien qui vit ce que le tennis français a connu dans les années 80-90 avec l'émergence de la génération Tsonga-Monfils-Gasquet. Arrivé en 2006, Louis Borfiga est pourtant parti d'une feuille blanche. « L'aventure a commencé par la volonté des dirigeants canadiens de devenir une nation de référence. » Embauche de bons entraîneurs français (dont Nathalie Tauziat et les trois coaches de Félix). Création en 2007 du Centre National puis de quatre centres régionaux. Détection poussée des enfants. « Au Canada, les stars restent les hockeyeurs, bien sûr, mais le tennis est le sport qui monte », confie Borfiga.
Derrière Milos Raonic (28 ans, 16e ATP), arrivent Bianca Andreescu (18 ans, 23e WTA), Denis Shapovalov et « FAA ». Entre ces deux-là, le duel s'annonce déjà palpitant. Deux physiques opposés, le blond, le brun. Deux personnalités aux extrêmes. « Il est foufou quand moi, je suis plutôt cadré. Dans sa chambre, c'est le désordre complet. La mienne est rangée », se marre Auger-Aliassime. Le premier match entre les deux potes a eu lieu dimanche dernier à Madrid. « FA2 » a gagné (6-2, 7-6) alors que Shapovalov avait été demi-finaliste l'année d'avant. Une sacrée perf'.
Peut-être cette victoire, importante, est-elle due au nouveau principe de sagesse que Félix s'est fixé cette saison et qui lui a servi de déclic. « Je n'ai que 18 ans et malgré les fortes attentes, je me réserve désormais le droit de perdre. En revanche, je dois toujours jouer de la bonne façon. Aller chercher les matches, ne pas jouer conservateur, ne pas avoir peur de l'échec. Ce n'est que comme ça que je gagnerai un jour de grands tournois. »
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
I was not impressed with Felix's attitude today. He spent way too much time trying to interact with his coach: looking at him, almost smirking at times, like it's such a surprise when he'd miss. Or like how is it possible I could be losing? He was trying tweeners and no look passing shots on important points. Please go back to hard work, and feeling fortunate about actually being in a main draw.
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Checkmate
Legend
Pmasterfunk
Hall of Fame
@vernonbc thanks for the copy/paste, I was able to find the article after a quick search, here it is:
https://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article/Meilleur-espoir-masculin/1016861
It's good that you copied the whole thing, because most of the article is behind a pay wall.
It's a French website, but Quebec french and France french are about as different as US english and UK english. Spoken, there might be understanding issues, but written it's basically the same. It's usually possible to tell where the article is from by reference and expressions; the fact that Mbappé is referenced here was a good indicator it was from France. It's kinda odd that he "doesn't have a québecois accent" though.
https://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article/Meilleur-espoir-masculin/1016861
It's good that you copied the whole thing, because most of the article is behind a pay wall.
It's a French website, but Quebec french and France french are about as different as US english and UK english. Spoken, there might be understanding issues, but written it's basically the same. It's usually possible to tell where the article is from by reference and expressions; the fact that Mbappé is referenced here was a good indicator it was from France. It's kinda odd that he "doesn't have a québecois accent" though.
OutOfBounds
Rookie
Oh, he does, but there is this "bag check" on YouTube when he was very young and he spoke with what was sounded like a European accent (don't ask me to distinguish between the various areas or countries in Europe, I can't). In the past two years or so, I've noticed his accent ranged from a clear Quebec accent to still a Quebec accent with some discernible traces of European French, and one time where he sounded way more European than I had heard before.It's kinda odd that he "doesn't have a québecois accent" though.
Maybe having been raised by a father with a Togolese accent and then spending so much time with French coaches has led him to adapt easily depending of where he is and whom he is speaking to.
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Pmasterfunk
Hall of Fame
I just watched that vid, it's true he sounds more French. I also saw a video from 2 years later where he sounds québécois. During his recent appearance on a Quebec talk-show his accent was mostly québécois, but said a few things with a more French pronounciation, the way he said "d"s and "t"s in words like "aujourd'hui" and "tu", quebecers would sound more like "ajourd'zhui" and "tsu". Interesting observation, thanks.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
FAA is super-talented but still has a long way to go.
Master_Funk
Rookie
Despite losing, it looks like felix could go up as high as 27 in the rankings this week. One upside to losing early I guess.
OutOfBounds
Rookie
I'd call it an upside to losing early a lot last year!
Anyway, you jinxed it.
Verdasco caught up, so 28 it will be. Not that it makes any difference for the French Open. He'll be seeded and would face a top 8 in the third round if he makes it. Hopefully it will be Tsitsipas and Félix can keep his perfect record against him. 
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
Victoria Jaklin
Family First with the Auger-Aliassime Clan
Family First with the Auger-Aliassime Clan
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Felix has entered the ATP250 Lyon tournament and is the #4 seed, earning a 1R bye. He will play 2R vs either John Millman or Pablo Andujar.
Master_Funk
Rookie
Honestly , there is no one in that Lyon draw that is super dangerous on clay right now , so I could see him with a chance of winning the title.
vernonbc
Legend
He didn't lose early a lot last year! He was 17 and just starting out with a few Futures and a few Challengers.I'd call it an upside to losing early a lot last year!
OutOfBounds
Rookie
I don't recall him playing a Future since March 2017. He started playing exclusively in Challengers after that. He won Challengers in Lyon and Sevilla that year. I think he had had a wildcard for the qualifications in Basel at the end of 2017, the only ATP tournament he participated in (after the wildcard he had to decline due to injury at the Rogers Cup).
Last year, he started playing ATP main draws on top of Challengers, but he had such a disastrous beginning that he entirely skipped grass to play as much as he could. Before Lyon, his best performances were a pair of quarterfinals in Portugal in May. Aside from his performance in Indian Wells where he qualified and then beat Pospisil, it was only a win here and there and several first round losses.
This is not a critic. I get that progress is not linear.
But, yes, if he managed to go up this week, it's because comparatively to the other players near him in the rankings, his result were so bad at this time of the year in 2018 that he has fewer points than them to defend. He got 10 in Rome because he was direct entry, which, despite the first round loss, almost made up for the 15 he lost from the same week last year.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Felix vs Millman 2R Lyon on Tuesday, early evening featured match on Center Court.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Millman will be tough. All betting predictions say Millman will win.
Sparlingo
Hall of Fame
Mark-Touch
Legend
Absolutely no excuse for Felix not to convert one of the six break points in the first set so far!
Mark-Touch
Legend
Well he won the 1st set the hard way, in a tie-break.
Still not playing openly, freely. A bit tight.
Still not playing openly, freely. A bit tight.
flyinghippos101
Legend
With his win over Millman, Felix should apparently rise up to rank 26.
This is pretty incredible stuff - by simply competing in these tournaments and making modest runs, he's still making progress up the rankings. With no points to defend, Felix might even crack the top 20 by end of year if he continues to just keep on par with his progress to date.
I'm starting to wonder how Shapo might be feeling now that Felix is not only getting a lot more attention, but also could potentially leap frog over him in the rankings this year...
This is pretty incredible stuff - by simply competing in these tournaments and making modest runs, he's still making progress up the rankings. With no points to defend, Felix might even crack the top 20 by end of year if he continues to just keep on par with his progress to date.
I'm starting to wonder how Shapo might be feeling now that Felix is not only getting a lot more attention, but also could potentially leap frog over him in the rankings this year...
stringertom
Bionic Poster
QF on Thursday vs Steve The Package. Get that FH DTL and I/O ready to pepper the backhand corner.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Modest expectation to take that long...a title this week would boost him to #22 and within 200 points of a comfortable top 20 cushion.
flyinghippos101
Legend
Fair enough - I think a title is pretty doable. The draw doesn't have a lot of depth, combined with Shapo looking a bit out of sorts, makes Felix's first title a lot more realistic than people might give him credit. Although I'm also accounting for the lack of consistency week-to-week that often plagues young players, so I expect at some points during the year where Felix strings a series of losses. Although, even showing up seems to still give him decent bumps in the rankings, given how close everyone around the 30-20 range is ranking points-wise
estigma2001
Hall of Fame
Vamos Felix, netx victim Steve "Love Clay" Jonhson!
stringertom
Bionic Poster
His ranking may have a dip after RG because he has a Challenger title and final that will fall off while he has his first go on the grass Wimby tuneups. From that point forward he should climb with any decent results on the NA HC swing before USO. That’s why a deep run here and a decent first week at RG will be critical to get points to neutralize that 100 plus drop from Lyon/Blois’18 Challengers.
Mark-Touch
Legend
Nice to see Felix dispatch a 'Fed-slayer' with relative ease.
OutOfBounds
Rookie
Not so fast, Wawrinka can easily pass Félix if he wins more matches in Geneva, but other than him, Garin would have to win the title in Geneva to prevent Félix from climbing.
Also, as stringertom said, he has Challenger points to defend after RG, but after that, defending points shouldn't really be a concern. With his win today, he's already pretty much defended his Blois final. It's crazy indeed how just one match is worth 4 wins in Challengers. Of course, that is because he was seeded in this one with a bye in the first round, but still.
I would think Denis must be the least surprised of anyone. He has never been shy when acknowledging Félix's talent. Even when he beat Félix in their Challenger encounter over two years ago, he said they would play against each other many times and the wins wouldn't all go on the same side. Also, I would think he had time to see it coming, as Félix has been ranked above him for over two months in the race already. But Denis will soon have a chance to even things out on grass.
As for the attention, as far as I'm concerned, Shapovalov got at least as much himself when he landed in the top 100. It's just that for the moment, it's Félix's rise that is the latest. Apparently, Shapo was really missing being with Félix, so there is definitely an upside for him too.
I really hope their friendship lasts, as I think both players can benefit tremendously from it. Who else can better understand what a professional tennis player goes through?
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
A three-set win earlier today for Felix over Steve Johnson in quarter-final action in Lyon. The Canadian played some controlled, aggressive tennis to win the first set 6-4 after looking at one stage as if he might run away with it. His level dropped in the second set and Johnson's improved as the American took it 6-2. In the final set Johnson won a long opening game on his serve, but then Felix rediscovered his form of the start of the match and, taking five games in a row, built a 5-1 lead. One game later, at 5-2, he could't quite close out the match. However, visibly steeling himself at 5-4, the Canadian served very well to seal a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Felix should have had this in 2. In any case, he has an easy opening round at the FO, while once again, Denis gets a tough opponent. Draws on all clay court tournaments have been horrible for him. I know it's just bad luck, but this is a LOT OF bad luck.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Thompson and Struff have been equally unsuccessful at RG...best is 2R for both. One advantage for Denis is he played and took a set from Struff at M-C last month so he knows what to expect. Since then, Struff is up (wins vs Tsits, Cilic, Goffin) and down (double breadsticks from Monteiro). This could be a confidence builder if Shapo takes it.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
I agree.
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