It feels like Felix Auger-Aliassime is currently playing catch-up with the rest of the tour, after a disastrous start to the new season at the Australian Open.
The 25-year-old was undoubtedly the biggest casualty of the first round last month, forced to retire after suffering from cramps.
He has since admitted that the physical failure was an anomaly, and has headed to Montpellier to properly get his campaign underway.
However, he faced a serious threat when he was pitted against Stan Wawrinka in his opening match.
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Fortunately, Felix Auger-Aliassime was not to be overawed by the retirement story of this legendary figure.
Felix Auger-Aliassime reacts after beating Stan Wawrinka
Speaking on court after toppling the Swiss superstar in straight sets, naturally, he had nothing but kind words for Wawrinka.
Auger-Aliassime admitted: “Yeah, I know him very well. I was growing up all these years watching him, you know, be the legendary player he is.
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“I think, you know, all of us young players, I think we all dream of a career like he’s had, you know, the winning, but the resilience, the hard work, the consistency. He’s been an example for all of us young players.”
However, he’d then reveal a conversation they shared back in Melbourne last month, and what he told him.
The Canadian concluded by noting: “And yeah, like you said, it’s crazy that we’ve never played. I actually told him that in Australia, in the locker room, we’ve never played before. It’s crazy. And then next happens, we play, obviously, so, yeah, it was great to share the court with him.”
Wawrinka gave his thoughts on Auger-Aliassime before the match too.
Stan Wawrinka should break plenty of records this year
Whilst Wawrinka is clearly already one of the most revered figures on the tennis tour, his legacy is sure to be further solidified throughout this year.
After all, having announced that it would be his final one before retiring, wherever he goes, he will be deservedly celebrated for his achievements.
What makes this even more perfect is the fact that he remains competitive and very much a threat to plenty of players on tour.
His run to the third round of the Australian Open proved that, and he swiftly showed how it was no fluke with a win in Montpellier before Auger-Aliassime stopped his run.
In beating Hamad Medjedovic, he became the oldest man to record a tour-level win indoors outside the Davis Cup.
Given his form and his age, the 40-year-old is expected to break plenty of ‘oldest-ever’ records over the next few months.
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