Rising Canadian tennis Felix Auger-Aliassime has opened up on his track record of making tournament finals but falling at the final hurdle.
The current World Number 18 reached seven Tour finals to date but didn’t manage to win a single one of them. However, the Canadian clearly isn’t too flustered about it, saying that he would rather dwell on the positive of having played seven Tour finals and finishing runner-up so early in his career.
“Sometimes we turn it into a negative thing”: Felix Auger-Aliassime on reaching seven Tour finals
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Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Mexican Open in Acapulco, Auger-Aliassime said that some people read a bit too much into his track record as he considers it a “good thing”.
“Sometimes we try to turn it into a negative thing but, in the end, it’s a very positive thing that I have played that many finals already,” the 20-year-old said.
Felix Auger-Aliassime talks 🗣 about his seven lost ATP finals, explains who keeps him with his feet on the ground, his hidden talent 😉🎹, expectations and more 🎾@FOXSportsMX @ATPTour_ES @AbiertoTelcel 🌴
— Maria Fernanda Mora (@marifermora90) March 18, 2021
The Canadian wrapped up a facile win over American Sebastian Korda on Thursday to storm into the quarters at Acapulco. He will take on Greek World Number 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas for a place in the last four.
“You don’t always get what you want”: Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime added that though he’d be the first one to put his hand up and say that he should have won more, he is at peace with his “story” so far. “You don’t always get what you want,” the Canadian quipped.
While his detractors may have their reasons to question his ability in big matches, especially tournament finals, the 20-year-old is perhaps well-advised to not over-analyze his game and focus on the process.
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The Canadian fell in his tournament opener at Rotterdam to a resurgent Kei Nishikori.
He had a decent run at this year’s Australian Open as well, reaching the pre-quarters on the back of commanding wins, including his third-round victory over compatriot Denis Shapovalov. However, he blew a two-set lead against Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev to lose his fourth-round tie in five sets.
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