THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2023

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

M. MMOH/F. Auger-Aliassime

7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Felix, what are your initial takeaways from today's match?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, it's a tough day. I have to give him credit. He served well. He played a good match, I think.

But yeah, I wasn't totally myself out there for different reasons. Of course I knew I was not coming with the best preparation or the best few weeks before that, but I still, you know, tried and I thought I could do well. I thought I could be better.

But yeah, everything, I didn't really get to test myself physically that much. I think today just showed I was just a little bit overwhelmed, a little bit under his level and just the level I need to play in these tournaments.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Did you feel at any point you were getting somewhere and you just couldn't keep it going?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, the first two sets I felt fine. You know, it was unfortunate I played a bad tiebreak in the first set. I started with an easy mistake and then he served well. I double-faulted. You know, it was like two points that I shouldn't have lost. But then he played good.

But end of the second set I felt good. I felt good. It really started being tough after two sets. I still think I could have done better with the circumstances. I think I had the upper hand at some point in the third set. It's unfortunate I couldn't convert.

But yeah, I knew it was going to be tough and it was.

Q. Did you come close to not playing?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, I had to make a decision after Halle. I only had two weeks. When you withdraw from a tournament two weeks before another one, it wasn't like -- I'm like a week close, but it's a Grand Slam. I wanted to come and give myself a chance because I can play. You know, I can play. It's just, yeah, I'm just not myself yet.

So I'll keep working and be patient. Hopefully, you know, as the season goes on I can come back to a good level.

Q. Your knee was taped up. What was the issue?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, a problem with my tendon there. It's been ongoing for a few months. We're working hard every day to try to resolve the situation. You know, we'll keep going. We knew it was going to be challenging to come here. I didn't play many matches. I wasn't really able to test myself physically and play more than two practice sets in a row.

So I think just today it showed that I wasn't really ready, but we knew what we were coming into, and now just the recovery continues.

Q. Was that why you pulled out of Halle, then?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yes, the knee.