Felix Auger-Aliassime says what he honestly thinks about Gael Monfils after beating him at Indian Wells

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Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Gael Monfils, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of Indian Wells.

It was Auger-Aliassime and Monfils‘ first meeting since their controversial Laver Cup clash three years ago.

There, Auger-Aliassime complained to the umpire about the Frenchman’s behavior before the pair exchanged words.

After beating Monfils for a second time, Auger-Aliassime shared what he really thinks about him.

Felix Auger-Aliassime admits he’s always been a fan of Gael Monfils

During an interview with ‘Tennis Channel‘, Auger-Aliassime gave his verdict on Monfils.

“It was crazy, crazy atmosphere,” said Auger-Aliassime.

“Obviously, I’m a fan of Gael [Monfils], I was a fan growing up.

“I was telling the crowd after the match, I was probably the only person who couldn’t root for him, I was like, sorry, I have to do my work, I have to compete and try to beat him!

“But still a fan of him, always have been, and it was nice to share a court with him, maybe not the last time, but at least this year, in his farewell year, just how good he was for our sport.”

Auger-Aliassime only had good things to say about Monfils after their Indian Wells clash, but what really happened at the 2023 Laver Cup?

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils disagreed over the spirit of the Laver Cup

Ever the showman, Monfils was in fine form on day one of the 2023 Laver Cup.

But it was his showmanship that began to bother Auger-Aliassime.

After Monfils took more time than is normally allowed between points, Auger-Aliassime took the issue up with umpire Greg Allensworth during a changeover.

“Is it a full-on exhibition, or are you sticking to the ATP rules?” he asked.

“You’re telling me that’s normal? He sits down for like 30 seconds! I mean, that’s a time-violation warning. I can play games too.”

Allensworth told Auger-Aliassime he’d speak to Monfils, but the Frenchman wasn’t happy at all.

Monfils got out of his seat and approached Auger-Aliassime.

The pair exchanged words in French, as a bemused Ben Shelton made faces in the background.

They clearly disagreed, as Monfils complained to Team Europe’s captains, Bjorn Borg and Tomas Enqvist, at the next changeover.

“They called me, they told me, the Laver Cup is so nice, you can be free,” he said.

“I’m here to have fun.”

Monfils lost the match in straight sets, 4-6, 3-6.

There was no love lost between Monfils and Auger-Aliassime that day, but it’s good to know they’re on better terms now!

Felix Auger-Aliassime targets improvements after Gael Monfils win

Auger-Aliassime was pleased with his second-round win against Monfils, but knows there are still areas of his game that need improving.

“I mean the return,” he said.

“I think I served really well, obviously I could play my good friend [Gabriel] Diallo or [Andrey] Rublev next round, two guys who can serve really well, especially Diallo.

“You know guys in the draw are going to serve well, but you want to find a way to get under their skin, to get more breaks.

“I felt like for a set and a half there, I wasn’t getting many chances. I kind of had to wait for him to have a dip.

“If I can find a way, even if the guy doesn’t have a dip, to make him serve bad, or be really effective on second serve returns, like I wasn’t in the first set, that’s probably what I want to improve the most.”

Auger-Aliassime is targeting a deep run in California, knowing what it could mean for his ranking.

The Canadian currently sits eighth in the live rankings, but could jump into the top four with a title.

Live ATP Rankings

The top 10 is so congested that having a good or bad week at a Masters 1000 event could be the difference between being ranked fourth and ninth.

Looking to kick on and make a deep run at Indian Wells, Auger-Aliassime will play either Gabriel Diallo or Andrey Rublev in the third round.