Felix Auger-Aliassime has noticed some big changes in Carlos Alcaraz which he was unable to deal with at the ATP Finals.
Auger-Aliassime sent a warning to Alcaraz prior to their semifinal match in Turin, as he looked to continue his impressive end to the season.
However, the Canadian’s run came to an end after Alcaraz beat Auger-Aliassime to make tennis history.
Alcaraz now awaits another final with Jannik Sinner, and Auger-Aliassime has now spoken about what the Spaniard did against him that was so impressive.
Felix Auger-Aliassime names the biggest improvement he thinks Carlos Alcaraz has made
Alcaraz beat Auger-Aliassime, 6-2 6-4, to extend his lead in the head-to-head against the Canadian to 5-3.
This means that Alcaraz has now won his last five meetings against Auger-Aliassime, who actually led their rivalry 3-0 until 2023.
When speaking about the challenges of playing someone like Alcaraz, Auger-Aliassime particularly highlighted the serve as a big improvement he has made.
“I mean, for a guy who was doing everything well, but I remember let’s say three or four years ago, everybody was saying, the serve, the serve,” Auger-Aliassime said in his post-match press conference. “He’s serving crazy good. He did that amazing. The rest of the game has always been good.
“He can change directions with both shots. He puts pressure on you in a different way. You don’t know what to expect. He’s playing at a very high speed. I think that was most challenging.”
Alcaraz hit five aces past Auger-Aliassime and won 82% of his points on first serve, as well as saving the one break point he faced.
Felix Auger-Aliassime suggests if he thinks he can close the gap on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
There has been a lot of talk about who can challenge Alcaraz and Sinner next year, with the pair sharing the last eight Grand Slam titles.
Auger-Aliassime has now been asked if he thinks he can be the player to challenge them next year, and he certainly does not lack belief in himself.
“Future will tell. It’s great progression I’ve had this year,” said Auger-Aliassime. “Like, I’ve always believed, since I’m a kid believed, and my ambition was to win Grand Slams and be number one in the world.
“I’ve had ups and downs, but honestly through it all I always believed I could be there. I still believe today. Now it’s a matter of, yeah, doing the right things to improve. If I do, we’ll see where that leaves me.”
Where do you think Felix Auger-Aliassime will finish the year ranked next year?
The 25-year-old was then asked a follow-up question about whether his goal is to close the gap on Alcaraz and Sinner, but Auger-Aliassime is not just focusing on the top two players.
“Everybody’s good. I can’t just focus on these two,” responded Auger-Aliassime. “Everybody above me, below me, young guys coming up. It’s high competition every year. You can have bad luck.
“But of course when I play these guys right now, the facts are they’re a level above everyone. Yeah, I’m going to need to put some work. I’ve never been afraid of some work, so it’s all good.”
Although he was unable to reach the final of the ATP Finals, Auger-Aliassime has confirmed that he will be at a career-high ranking of world number five due to his recent form.
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