Félix Auger-Aliassime: “I’m a perfectionist, on and off the tennis court”

Novak Djokovic, after the international tennis final in Rome, joked that the Next-Gen, the new generation tennis players are him and the opponent who faced Rafael Nadal. A joke also made to put a little fear on the many young people who are making their way quickly on fields all over the world. Among these there is Felix Auger-Aliassime, Canadian with his father originally from Togo, born in 2000, on August 8, the same day as Roger Federer, which must be a very lucky day for those who hold the racket.

He is nineteenth in the world, but like all new talents, from the blue Jannik Sinner to his compatriot Denis Shapovalov, he aims high. “Precision, attention to detail and hard work make the difference,” says the not yet twenty-one-year-old tennis player ambassador of the Swiss high-end watchmaking brand TAG Heuer who is on the pitch in these days in Lyon and is preparing for Roland Garros.

How important is accuracy on the pitch and in life?
“It’s a very important thing in my life, on and off the pitch. I’ve always been a perfectionist, when I do something I want to do it well. Sometimes it’s a millimeter that makes the difference for a winning point or game; precision is essential in our sport. And in life in general. It’s something I work on every day ».

As an ambassador of the TAG Heuer brand, how close you feel the motto Don’t crack under pressure, Do not collapse under the pressure?
“On the tennis court, as in life, we have to live with pressure. Sometimes it is the pressure to win a point or a game, other times it can be the pressure to meet the expectations of others. For me, not collapsing under the pressure means staying focused on what I have to do and not paying attention to what is not useful for my growth as a player and as a human being. You need to know your program, your vision, your values ​​and stick to it. You need to be true to yourself and remain convinced throughout the process. Learning is a long way and I’m still learning, but I know I’m on the right path. “

How important is time in your life?
«I try not to focus too much on time, I don’t want to follow a programmed sequence, I do things my way, in my own time. I try to give myself the time I need, in my life and career, to improve as a person and as an athlete. I don’t let my life be dictated by set times. I have achieved some goals earlier than I thought and others later, but I respect the timing of things. They will come when they have to and when I deserve it. “

Is there a perfect watch for you?
“I really like TAG Heuer LINK watches. I love how the strap is made, perfect for my wrist. It is elegant and, at the same time, very comfortable. Of the whole collection, they are among my favorites ».

How important is mental strength on the pitch and in training?
«Mental strength is fundamental in tennis and in life. We all face defeats. It is inevitable. For me it is important to always get back on my feet and have the clarity of mind to understand why it happened. It doesn’t really matter how many times you fall. The important thing is to get up, not be tied to the past, learn and move forward. It is all in the mind and is something to be cultivated for a lifetime. It is a continuous process ».

You recently had a change of coach, how did the choice of Toni Nadal (for a long time alongside his nephew Rafa) come?
«I haven’t changed coach. My coach is still Frédéric Fontang. Toni is more of a consultant, a mentor and I love to see him in this position. It is a great opportunity to have him by my side, to help me become a better player. It brings added value that can make a difference. His experience completes what we were already doing. His way of working is respected everywhere. He has never taken anything for granted and wants to work harder than others. It is above all for this mentality that I decided to work with him ».

Describing yourself, which side of your personality would you highlight the most?
“I think people don’t know that I have a great sense of humor and I like to have a good laugh. I like to watch the shows of some Québec comedians ».

His dream as a tennis player is …
“To become the best player possible, express my full potential and reach the highest levels of this sport.”

There are so many new names in the tennis circuit, so many millennials. Who do you admire and who “worries” you on the pitch?
«I don’t mention names. They are all excellent players and the beauty lies in being in a group if it becomes more and more nourished of excellent players. I don’t often let my opponents surprise me, everyone is rightfully here and everyone is hard to beat. I try to face everyone with the right humility ».

One of them is his compatriot Shapovalov. He is a teammate and a rival at the same time.
“For me it is a joy to see someone who grew up with me do so well. I think we are inspirational for each other. It is a great rivalry that made me grow and that pushed me to do better. Shapovalov is a great player and I learn something every time I play with him. I am happy to see that we are many to represent our country ».

What is the champion you admire from the previous generation?
«I grew up seeing Nadal and Federer matches and they obviously inspired me a lot. They are incredible players. Among my idols are Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gaël Monfils ».

Besides tennis, what are your passions?
“I enjoy reading, playing the piano, talking to my family and friends and watching series. I recently read Sapiens. From animals to gods and I liked it very much ».

Tennis is often associated with elegance. What is your relationship with fashion?
«Tennis has always been an elegant sport. For me, tennis and fashion have always been very close. You want to be comfortable playing, but you also want what you wear to represent your style. I am careful about what I wear, I want it to best represent my personality and my style, it is a way of expressing myself. In the rest of my life I am equally interested in fashion, I like to try different styles ».