Felix Auger-Aliassime points out the big difference between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as ‘urgency’ grows on the ATP Tour

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Felix Auger-Aliassime was once one of the highest rated prospects in men’s tennis but has struggled over the past few years.

Having struggled in 2023, Auger-Aliassime was unable to bounce back in 2024, as he finished the year ranked 29th in the world for the second year running.

The Canadian once peaked at sixth in the world, after a fantastic end to the year in 2022, but hasn’t been able to reach those heights since.

It wasn’t all bad for Auger-Aliassime on the ATP Tour in 2024, however, as he enjoyed several strong results on clay.

Auger-Aliassime reached the Madrid Open final earlier this year, losing to Andrey Rublev 6-4, 5-7, 5-7, having remarkably advanced through three rounds via retirements and walkovers.

Auger-Aliassime then won a Bronze medal in the Olympic mixed doubles tournament, alongside Gabriela Dabrowski.

Some positives to take from a tough year, as the 24-year-old has been looking closely at two of the world’s best players ahead of the 2025 season.

Felix Auger-Aliassime says there is an ‘urgency’ to stop Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner from dominating Grand Slams

Speaking in an interview ahead of the 2025 season, Auger-Aliassime revealed how the rest of the ATP Tour feel about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

“There is a feeling for myself and other players,” he said.

“There is a sense of urgency in a way if we want to stay in touch with them.

“[Carlos] Alcaraz is at four Grand Slams now and then [Jannik Sinner] at two.

“There is a sense of urgency, like okay you can’t let them win more, if they do, congrats to them but they will just start pulling away.

“Let’s try not to let them win every slam from now on.”

Auger-Aliassime went on to say what was so impressive about Alcaraz’s rise to the top of men’s tennis.

“Alcaraz we saw from the moment he stepped on his first Grand Slam that he was going to be special, like crazy special,” he said.

“I was able to get some wins over him the first time we played, but it has been hard the last time we played.

“His rise was one of a kind, the youngest number one in the world.”

Alcaraz’s rise to number one was different from that of his biggest rival, something that the Canadian star recognized.

“Sinner is a bit different from Alcaraz because let’s say two years ago he didn’t finish the year in the top ten.

“Now his rise, we always knew his qualities and he was always going to be a top, top player, but the year he has had is one of a kind as well.

“I was impressed many times with how consistent he was able to be and play at.

“He had a great finish last year, started beating some guys that he was struggling to beat, but I don’t think when he won the Australian Open it was already like wow.

“But the year he had was like [Roger] Federer in 2005 or 2006.”

How many times has Felix Auger-Aliassime beaten Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?

Despite suffering a decline in form over the past few years, Auger-Aliassime still possesses the ability to beat anyone on the ATP Tour.

He showed that with several wins over the top players in men’s tennis, including Alcaraz and Sinner.

The Canadian leads the combined head-to-head against the pair 5-4, having won his first three matches against Alcaraz, and both of his career meetings with Sinner.

The tide has turned over the last year or so, however, as Alcaraz rattled off four consecutive wins against Auger-Aliassime.

Perhaps the biggest of which came at this year’s Olympic Games, where the 21-year-old booked his place in the Gold medal match, dropping just two games.

Auger-Aliassime will try to forget about his most recent meetings against the world number three, and look back upon his previous successes for inspiration, should the pair face off once again in the new year.

The Canadian began his 2025 season at the United Cup, where Canada were knocked out in the group stages after defeat to the United States.