From euphoria to disappointment, the half-fig, half-grape year of Félix Auger-Aliassime

Félix Auger-Aliassime’s last year was bittersweet on the tennis courts, between the exhilaration of winning an Olympic medal and a few early setbacks in renowned tournaments on the ATP circuit.

The performances recorded at the Paris Games are undoubtedly among the highlights of her 2024 season. Auger-Aliassime won bronze in mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski, then finished just off the podium in singles.

Previously, never had a Canadian tennis player reached the final four at the Olympics in the individual tournament.

These are unique moments. I hoped to maybe one day be in the Olympics when I was a kid. But even to experience moments like that, to win an Olympic medal, it’s a crazy moment. […] that I will remember all my lifeexplains Auger-Aliassime at the microphone of the show Penelope on ICI Première.

Sometimes, when you least expect it, you get there. For example, in this mixed doubles tournament, I don’t play a lot of doubles, and even less mixed doubles. The stars were aligned as I was already having a very good singles tournament toocontinues the Montrealer.

An important success for the main party as well as for the Canadian delegation, since it was the first Olympic medal in tennis since the Sydney Games in 2000. Sébastien Lareau and Daniel Nestor then won gold in doubles .

Tennis Canada recently named Auger-Aliassime and Dabrowski the country’s players of the year following their accomplishments in the French capital. An honor that the 24-year-old athlete received for the fourth time in his career.

I smile when I remember the Olympics, but I remember difficult times for a long time too. I quickly try to move on and then stay positive because I know that’s how I build future victories. But the fact remains that there are many moments again this year, last year, which were difficult to digest.

Among the defeats which tormented him during the season, he noted his failures in two grand slam tournaments, either at Wimbledon and to Flushing Meadowsas well as in Montreal in front of his family. He breezed through these three important events after biting the dust from the start.

At the US Open, where my preparation was good, I was in good shape, then I left in the first round. I won’t hide from you that the same evening, then the next day, these are difficult days. But it’s a day, it doesn’t define my year, my career, the player, the person I amhe confides.

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Auger-Aliassime completed the calendar among the top 30 for a sixth campaign in a row. An accomplishment, certainly, but one which remains inferior to his ambitions to integrate a smaller circle, and to remain there, this time.

For this season, I hoped for better since two years ago, I was 6th in the world. Afterwards, it’s difficult to be 6th in the world every year, it’s very difficult. But hey, we always prepare to try to be in the elite of the world rankings, to be among the last eight players of the year, then to all compete at the ATP Finals in Turin. That’s always the goal every year.

That’s why after the year [2023]where I was injured, where I had to accept that it was the best I could do, I hoped that this year, things would go better, and then that I would manage to move up the world rankings a a little closer to what I’ve been in the past […]. And I’m a little further away, I’m 29th, I’m in the same ranking as I was last year. So there is some disappointment.

The winner of five titles of theATPwho was however cleared in 2024, having lost his only final, played in Masters from Madrid, concentrates on doing work on himself which is done a little more in depth than in the past regarding his preparation for big moments, important tournaments.

Getting to know myself better, learning to know how to use emotions in a good way since for players, emotions can help or harm. So there is a happy medium to be found. This is what I’m looking for, then I’m working on itcontinues Auger-Aliassime.

The season ofATP It has only been three weeks in the past and the next campaign is just around the corner. A new opportunity to regain your place among the elite of your sport.

Auger-Aliassime will take back the necklace during the holiday season at the Cup Uniteda team tournament which will begin on December 27 in both Perth and Sydney. He will then head to Adelaide and will be expected at the end of January in Melbourne, host of the first round of the grand slam.