Felix Auger-Aliassime finished 2025 with a bit of a flourish and will start next year as a top-five player on the ATP Tour.
Carlos Alcaraz recently heaped praise on Auger-Aliassime, and the future looks extremely bright for the talented Canadian star.
Pundits have been predicting big things for Auger-Aliassime in 2026, and after reaching the US Open semifinal this year, his confidence has gone through the roof.
Auger-Aliassime had a solid run of form in Asia and on the indoor swing, and that led to him finishing in fifth on the ATP world rankings and reaching the ATP Finals.
Jimmy Connors delivers verdict on Felix Auger-Aliassime
The 25-year-old has been around the tour for a long time, and as a result, it does feel as though he’s ready to start winning bigger titles on the ATP Tour.
A big-serving performer, Auger-Aliassime is arguably in the form of his life, and it feels as though 2026 could be a big year for him.
Auger-Aliassime has a new fan, it would seem, with Connors praising him and expressing his wishes for him next year when the tour gets back underway.
He said on the Advantage Connors podcast: “You just can’t keep going, you have to stop and take a breath a little bit, but you know, what has got him into this position now? Obviously, he’s feeling good, he’s confident, his game is where he wants it to be, and you can’t just keep going because you will wear yourself out, but don’t take the time off, and think, ‘right, I’m accomplished now, I’ve done everything I want to do’. You still haven’t won a Grand Slam, buddy, you know, get out there, you’re on the brink, keep working and striving, because he’s close, and when you’re on a roll, you have to take advantage of that without wearing yourself out.
“Here it comes again, but that’s all about the people around you; they should be telling him that. I think he keeps it rolling in 26, I’m happy for him, I just hope he’s not satisfied yet, I hope he continues to grow, get better and win a Grand Slam. That would be tremendous.
“He’s 25, it would be great, he’s been around a while now, and I think he can do it. He’s got game, he’s got an exciting game, he got to the semis at the US Open and even against Sinner, he created some excitement; he was pretty good. I think it’d be good if he could get a win over one of those two and break into that; he’d be a really good fit. I hope he does it, he’s fun to root for.”
Auger-Aliassime must now strive for one thing
For the best players in the top 10 of the world rankings, what separates them from the rest is the ability to show a consistent streak.
Although Auger-Aliassime came good at the end of 2025, there is enough to suggest that he now needs to do it for a more prolonged period.
In the player’s defence, he does turn up each week willing to give it everything and doesn’t appear to be one of these players who complain about the hectic schedule.
Connors has hit the nail on the head a little bit with Auger-Aliassime in that he’s extremely fun to watch, and his all-action style makes him very entertaining.
Now, 2026 needs to be a real breakthrough year for Auger-Aliassime in the sense of pushing his boundaries even further and making the final and bidding to win a Grand Slam crown.
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