Félix Auger-Aliassime experienced several firsts in 2022. He notably won his first four tournaments and climbed to sixth place in the world rankings. However, it will be the return of the pendulum in 2023. And it starts with the defense of its points acquired in Rotterdam.

Having a season like Auger-Aliassime’s last has several advantages. This translates into a rise in the rankings, a better position in the various tables and a place in the ATP Finals. So much for the good side of the coin.

On the other hand, tennis players must also assume the other side of this coin. That is to say, maintain the pace to avoid tumbling. The main disadvantage of flying over an entire season and savoring several moments of glory is having to defend all the points acquired during the following season.

This is the challenge, or the reality, with which Félix Auger-Aliassime will have to negotiate until the fall.

By taking the measure of Stéfanos Tsitsipás in two sets in Rotterdam last year, the Quebecer had ended a drought of eight consecutive defeats in the final.

Since then, he is one of the best players in the world. Above all, he is much more confident.

However, he will have to be careful. In recent Canadian history, Eugenie Bouchard, Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez had all the trouble in the world to come back stronger the season following their crazy epic.

Auger-Aliassime could also fall into the trap.

His journey to the Australian Open ended abruptly, in the fourth round, against Jiri Lehecka. He has not played since. Which isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, given his busy and stressful schedule over the past 12 months. In the meantime, the 22-year-old went to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca.

This lull could be beneficial for the seventh racket in the world. If he wants to keep the Dutch crown, he will definitely have to offer some big tennis during this 500 category tournament.

Stéfanos Tsitsipás, Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune and Hubert Hurkacz, all members of the top 10will fight for top honors.

Auger-Aliassime’s first match, against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, will not be easy. The 60^e world player is able to annoy the best players in the world.

Shapovalov mowed down by the champion

Denis Shapovalov learned in spite of himself that in today’s tennis, no victory is acquired.

In the second round of the Dallas tournament last week, he had in front of him the 97^e world racket, the Chinese Yibing Wu. An unequal confrontation, at first sight. However, the third seed of the tournament was surprised and knocked down by Wu in just two sets.

Even more surprisingly, Wu went all the way, concluding the tournament with the champion’s trophy at arm’s length.

The Canadian will try to regain his rhythm in Delray Beach. Shapovalov had been on a good run since Canada’s Davis Cup win. He seemed to come alive again. He will now have to get up again so as not to go out again.

Fernandez stagnates

Leylah Fernandez is going through the most confronting moments of her young career. Posted at 39^e world rank, she is unable to find her rhythm.

Fortunately for her, the Monterrey tournament is fast approaching. She is almost invincible in Mexico.

Except that for the moment, the Quebecer must be content with qualifying to secure a place in the main draws of the various tournaments.

In Doha last week, she lost in the third qualifying round to Karolina Pliskova. The week before, she had lost her flag against Shelby Rogers in the first round.

The last time Fernandez won at least three games in a row was at Roland Garros, in May 2022.

Question marks around Andreescu

The door was wide open for Bianca Andreescu in Thailand two weeks ago. She played better than anyone. She hit the ball with confidence. The WTA used it extensively for promotional purposes. More importantly, she had every reason to smile since her body seemed to be holding up.

But that was just an illusion. Andreescu flinched. In fact, his body let him down. In the semi-final against Lesia Tsurenko, in a very tight match, the Canadian had to withdraw in the second set, injured.

Visibly still uncomfortable, she lost last Tuesday to Yulia Putintseva in the first round of the Abu Dhabi tournament. The highest ranked Canadian in the world, at 36^e rank, will have to prepare adequately for the Indian Wells tournament in early March, where she has already won in 2019.