THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2021

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

F. AUGER-ALIASSIME/N. Kyrgios

2-6, 6-1 [Ret.]

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're through to the round of 16 for the first time in your career at Wimbledon. Obviously not the circumstances you would have liked to win, but how did you feel about your tennis, particularly in that second set before of course Nick then retired?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: No, I mean, I believed that as the match went on I would loosen up and start playing better, but I had a tough start on my serve. I think it was a bit colder today. You know, something with the conditions just didn't suit me at the start and I had to get used to.

Then, you know, from the first point of the second set I felt normal. I felt normal again. I was ready to play. You know, I felt like I was playing the level that I have been playing, you know, the last few weeks in the second set.

You know, I was playing good. Of course it's unfortunate that he had to pull out, but on my side, you know, I felt like I was playing just better and better. Yeah, of course I would have liked to finish the match and win, but that's how it is. I'm through to the next round, and that's the most important.

Q. Talking about the next round, it's going to be Zverev. Tell us a bit about what kind of a challenge he presents and how big a match that's going to be for you.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, it's a big challenge for me. Never beat him before. First time we have played in a slam. You know, it's going to be interesting, three out of five.

I feel good. I know he feels good too. He's one of the best players of our generation, no doubt. He's got a great serve. I think even though he's had some trouble with the second serve and everybody has been talking about it, I think we need to remember that he's one of the best servers on the tour.

We need to focus on what he does well, and that's his serve. Then in the game, he's just very solid, one of the best backhands too.

He's got everything in his game. I'm going to try to find ways to give myself chances. But I need to start by protecting my own serve and then just play aggressive and try to dominate.

Q. One of the things that he's spoken about during this tournament is the confidence that he has and the experience going deep in majors. What are your feelings about the experience and confidence factors as you enter week 2?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, of course it's never the same when you haven't been in a Grand Slam final or even further than I have ever been, but there is always the first time for everything. I hope that will be my chance, you know, this Wimbledon, to go one step further than I have been before.

Of course, you know, on paper, yes, he's the higher seed. He's been at these places before. He's won matches like this before. But I think I highly believe in my chances, and I have to come with a lot of confidence.

Q. You now join Denis Shapovalov into the round of 16, two Canadians here into the second week of Wimbledon. He spoke highly about your game yesterday and said he really liked your chances in your match against Nick Kyrgios. Have you two been chatting at all? It feels like you guys are almost feeding off one another, both playing so well.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, you know, Denis was always a great player on grass. We all remember his win. I certainly do, because we played doubles right after his win in juniors.

You know, I remember saying in my press that I believe in his chances against Andy, and I think he showed what a good player he was, and he showed that he was the better player on that court that day and he did really well. You know, I hope he'll keep going the same way in the tournament.

No, we have actually been on different schedules a little bit. You know, we don't play on the same day, so whenever I'm playing a match he's practicing and vice versa. It's tricky. I haven't seen him actually a lot in the last few days.