ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 2, 2021

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

F. AUGER-ALIASSIME/G. Mager

4-6, 6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Your match, it's like a two-step match. It was a bit difficult in the first set, especially your game, not your opponent's. Then in second and third sets, you were more robust.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yes, indeed. I started quite well. I think the first set was quite tight with same levels. He was playing very well. I was not playing so bad as far as I'm concerned, and I did this game at 4-All with two double faults, one unforced error in the forehand to finish the game. So it was like giving the game to the opponent.

Then he served well to win the first set. So end of first set was disappointing but I reacted well. I bounced back in the second set. I tried to find solutions in returns, changing my positions, varying my returns. And after returning so well, I created occasions and I won the second set and then I finished very well.

So the match was indeed with an upward phase which was positive for me.

Q. In the game, you served better at the end of the second set and it boosted you, and in addition to the attitude, was there a change in your game?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: I had difficulty with my pace at the beginning of the match. I didn't hit enough first serves so I had a bit of pressure on my second serve. So I could have served better in the first set.

I did a poor game at 4-All and I got broken, but even before that there were moments at 30-All it was a bit hot and a bit tight. I think I relaxed. I found a better pace at the beginning of the second set and it went even better as the match went forward.

Q. Maybe one word about your opponent of today. It was your first match against him. How did you find him? Did you find he was playing fast, serving fast? We had the impression that you had to adjust very fast to his game.

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yes, he was playing very well. He was serving very well, very precise, good quality of shots, very powerful and fast serve, very precise. And also in the game there were good moments, even in the second set, where he played serve games where he won four points in a row with almost always winner. He had a good game.

I think the fact of just keeping the right attitude and present myself to the best of my ability each time and trying to make him miss, to take him out of his comfort zone. It was the case at 5-4 in the second set, and the third set was in my favor. But for one-and-a-half sets he played very well indeed.

Q. I would like to know what it means for you to play in Paris. Do you feel something? Is it a plus, the fact of having the support from the audience, being in a French-speaking country? Are there benefits?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yes, I always love playing in France. I've had nice moments in Lyon when I was playing challengers, in Marseilles. I never won in Paris, for whatever reason. Roland Garros, in juniors, yes, but in Roland Garros, here last year, I played here, I won last year in doubles here.

But the fact of coming back to France, in Paris, in the first match to have the audience supporting me and all these tennis fans who are happy to see tennis again, happy to see me, it's really pleasant.

I hope I will have a good week ahead of me.

Q. I don't know if you can answer today with respect to your action in Togo to see the results, the figures, if you can assess the situation for this year, or if you prefer talking about it next interview. Was it successful last year? How is it going right now?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: I will be able to answer you better when I'll assess the situation at the end of the year. Each quarter we receive an assessment of the actions that have been undertaken, where the money goes, the financial means, what has been done.

I haven't received the end-of-year update, and it's still in the middle of the season when I have tournaments. So I prefer focusing on my core business, my first priority for me, which enables me to collect money for them. So I can answer you better when I will assess the situation at the end of the year. I don't have enough information right now.

Q. Do you have a planned trip to Togo to see what's the situation?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: I'd love to, but it's been difficult with the COVID crisis. Certainly my father will go maybe very soon. We have to make a family decision. So if I can't go there, I will try to have someone from the family to go and see the progress of the project.