QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

February 20, 2023

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: How does it feel playing in Doha this year?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, it's fun. First time here for me. Exciting always to discover a new place as a player. Mostly rare these days (smiling). I've kind of been to a lot of the tournaments, so it's nice to come to a new place.

I'm excited. Should be a good week.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Coming to this tournament, what's the mindset that you're approaching?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: I think nowadays every tournament is the same goal. I kind of approach every match by itself, in a way. I will have my first match on Wednesday and try to win that one first and then keep going in the tournament.

Of course ultimately the goal is to win. I'm in a position where I know I can win these tournaments. I have done it in the past. So like a lot of players, the main players here, we are here to win. But it starts, yeah, by the first one.

My mentality is more about getting my body right, hitting the ball well at practice, and then playing the way I want. I know if I do that, I'll have some good results.

Q. I would like to know if you feel more pressure on yourself because of the great end of the season you had last year?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, I mean, since I'm on the tour, I have improved every year in terms of I think my level, my ranking, and so it's the same goal this year. The goal is to be better than I was the year prior.

But with the way I played last year and with the way I finished the year, of course the expectations are even higher. There is more pressure as you get to the top of the rankings, so it comes with the territory, but I'm happy to be in that position.

It's a good challenge for me to try to always be a bit better, try to rise in the rankings, but the main goal is still to play better tennis as the months go by.