Insatiability is a common characteristic of great athletes. Félix Auger-Aliassime is no exception to the rule. After a historic streak in October, the Quebecer wants even more. And this “plus” is the world’s first rank.
“Without skipping steps, without putting too much pressure on myself, I think I have what it takes to be world number one in my career,” the 22-year-old athlete said on Sunday morning.
While enjoying his first Sunday off in a month, Auger-Aliassime met the Canadian media live from Paris.
PHOTO CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES Félix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated by the Dane Holger Rune in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters on Saturday. 
Of course, the player said he was proud and satisfied with his accomplishments in recent weeks, with good reason. Since the beginning of October, he has won 16 consecutive matches and three tournaments, in addition to going from 13e at 6e rank in the ATP Rankings – which will be updated on Monday morning. It was the young Dane Holger Rune who put an end to his dream streak on Saturday in the semi-final of the Masters 1000 in Paris.
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“I am proud of the level at which I was able to play, mentioned the Quebecer. Not every game, but in some games I think I played my best tennis, so I’m happy with that. But also my consistency in my victories, my results. That’s what I’m most proud of. »
It solidifies my place among the best players in the world.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Between October 13 and November 2, Auger-Aliassime spent only seven days without playing a match. From duel to duel, he seemed unshakable. On a mission. That, in particular, of winning his place for the ATP finals, which he succeeded.
“After the second tournament won, I started asking myself the question: is it going to stop this week? Will I still win and go to Paris undefeated?
“It was an interesting challenge, but I had no apprehension about the fact that it didn’t have to stop. I had no stress at the idea of losing at one point. I’ve lost many matches in the past, so it wasn’t a problem. »
What will have been difficult, he said, is the “emotional approach”. “To arrive in each of these matches with the same motivation, the same desire, the same concentration, this is the part that is the biggest challenge when you play so many matches in such a short time,” he said. he explains.
PHOTO CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES Felix Auger-Aliassime
The end of a curse
Starting the season, Auger-Aliassime had lost in all eight of his career finals. Some questioned his ability to handle the pressure. At the end of the season, he has certainly silenced his detractors.
“The finals I lost in the last three years were hard to accept every time. It raised several questions for myself, my coach and my team, namely what we could do to win this first tournament. »
All the finals I have played lately, I played them as if they were the most important of my career, with enormous motivation and concentration. The fact that I’ve lost a few means that I don’t take any of them for granted.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
For the first time in his career, Auger-Aliassime has fulfilled “all the objectives” he had set for himself this season. On Wednesday, he will head to Turin for the ATP Finals, which take place from November 13-20. He will face the best players in the world, against whom he has already played and won, he recalled.
“I hope I can win. […] Obviously, it’s one of the most difficult tournaments to win, but I think I have what it takes to be able to aspire to it.
“I have one tournament left to improve my ranking this year, so I will do my best to finish as high as possible and hope to continue this way next year and go even higher. »
Before thinking of Turin, Quebec pride will benefit from two days off without training to finally rest. He will also be able to take the time to fully realize what he has accomplished, he who hardly had time to breathe between his titles in Florence, Antwerp and Basel.
“I think the real celebration is now,” he said.
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