The videos posted on Instagram are frankly moving. Touched, Félix Auger-Aliassime dances and sings, surrounded by dozens of Togolese children whose joy of living pierces the screen.

“These are realities that we know, but I think it strikes us differently to see this in person. To see that, despite everything, they have a smile. All the children I saw were happy, ”suggests the Quebecer on the phone.

During his interview with The Press, Friday, the 22-year-old athlete is driving after another emotional day in the Kara region, one of the most disadvantaged in Togo. He has been there since Monday, 24 hours after Canada won the Davis Cup.

For the past six days, therefore, Auger-Aliassime has been visiting various primary schools in the region to inquire about the progress of the initiatives made possible within the framework of the #FAAPointsForChange project, set up in 2020 in partnership with BNP Paribas and the association Care.

For each of his points earned on the ATP circuit, Auger-Aliassime donates $5 to the EduChange program, which promotes the education of the most vulnerable children and aims to put a stop to the violence they suffer. French bank BNP Paribas triples the bet, for a total of $20. Since January 3, 2020, he has earned 16,486 points; therefore, more than $325,000 was donated.

The money was used in particular to renovate infrastructures and to provide schools and sports equipment to schools: notebooks, pencils, crampons, balls, etc.

“It was good to see it in person — even though I had the minutes in writing beforehand — and to see with my own eyes the impact the project had,” Auger-Aliassime notes.

For more than two minutes, the Canadian tennis player lists everything he has done since Monday. He says in particular that he went to meet young adults aged 18 to 20 who, thanks to the program, benefit from professional training. They were previously in a situation of dropping out of school for lack of money.

“I spoke to an 18-year-old woman who said, in her native language, that she was learning to be a seamstress, but that without the project she would probably have gone to Nigeria and it could have ended up in marriage arranged and coerced into or trafficked in young girls. Really terrible things. »

His visit to Togo, the country where his father, Sam is from, also allowed him to see what could still be improved to help people. The young man thinks in particular of these children of 6, 7 and 8 years old who have to walk up to three hours a day to go to school and come back. He would like to ensure that they “have a primary and secondary school in their village, that they do not need to leave their village to continue their schooling”.

The pressure, a privilege

Félix Auger-Aliassime has established himself as one of the best players in the world in recent months. We remember his three consecutive titles in October, with participation in the ATP Finals and the 6^e world rank. And his performances at the Davis Cup, where Canada won the tournament for the first time in its history.

In Togo, “FAA” is accompanied by his father, his sister and his wife. Although the last few days have been busy, the exploits of recent weeks have been part of the discussion.

“Remembering all the moments we’ve had this year, in the last few years, even with my father since my childhood, which brought us to where we are today… It’s crazy. »

The Quebecer admits he’s been sleeping a lot lately, whenever he gets the chance. “That must mean I’m tired!” he exclaims. “I think there is also an emotional decompression. That’s good, it’s important when it comes. But at the same time, in terms of energy, I don’t feel tired. I recover well every time between tournaments. My body is fine. »

On his return from Africa, Auger-Aliassime plans to spend a few well-deserved days in peace, at home. Then, he will resume training before participating in the first edition of the World Tennis League, an exhibition tournament which will take place in Dubai, from December 19 to 24. It will be an opportunity for him to train in hot conditions before heading to Australia for the first Grand Slam of the season.

The 2023 season promises. Tennis fans will have high expectations of him. Will he be able to answer it?

“I like Billie Jean King’s phrase, which says that pressure is a privilege, he drops. […] I prefer to be in the position where I am at the moment, where people expect… Myself, in fact, I expect to do great things from the next tournament. »

And then, he will always have, deep inside him, this additional motivation to score as many points as possible. For the little Togolese.

“Sometimes it’s hard, I have to push myself, but there’s the kid who has to walk three hours in his day just to get to school. I say to myself: come on, you can make an effort and give the best of yourself because what you do here has an impact on these children. »