AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2024

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

F. AUGER-ALIASSIME/H. Grenier

6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: First of all, congrats, Felix. How do you feel about coming back to the third round at the Australian Open?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: It's great to be back in the third round in a tournament that I love playing. I had some good runs in the past years, and every time I come I think everybody is very motivated when it comes to Australia. It is the new year. Everybody comes with their new objectives, and they want to start the year well. It's obviously better than starting it not on the right foot.

I'm still alive in the tournament, positive win overall today. So yeah, hopefully that can keep going.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously you knew entering the tournament you are working your way back physically, tennis-wise, everything. Played a five-hour match. Then another win. How have the results compared to what you expected?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: I didn't have really expectations. Actually more just a desire to compete well, to play better than I've played recently. Of course, I mean, actually I've played good recently, at the end of the year in Basel and all that.

I had the belief that if my fitness level was to come back to a good level, the tennis was going to come back sooner than later. It's not like even past years where I made quarterfinals here. I had many struggles in early rounds.

Actually, when I look at it, it's a positive start. Now things will get tougher and tougher as the tournament goes on.

But I feel good with my game, and I feel like the work that we've done is paying off. I think the wheels are in the right direction, so I need to stay focused, stay consistent, and hopefully keep winning some matches.

Q. How did you feel after the five-hour match the next day?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Pretty good. Not having played so much tennis lately, I lost a tight one in Adelaide. I was going there looking to play not just play one match. Even with the practice, all of December, I was kind of rehabbing, coming back, so the load wasn't so heavy in the first few weeks of December. It got heavier just before I left to Australia. When I was in Sydney and the United Cup preparing, trying to play, but not being so ready to play. So it was a good test.

I didn't play so much tennis. Like I said, I didn't practice so much lately. To be pushed like that in the first round, and that my body responded that well, especially after the match as well, finishing well, the next day I felt good. I think the two days of rest were also something I took in a good way. It was important.

Q. I'm sure that there's an element of sort of trust in yourself that you have to regain a little bit as you are going out there. Have you sort of felt yourself realizing, I'm handling this okay and feeling good and that sort of thing?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: The trust came back at the end of last year. You don't win a 500 with the level that players play now without trusting yourself or without feeling like you can play well.

So for me it's always been about, yeah, being sharp physically. I'm also a player that needs to practice a lot. I don't know if more than other players, but I know I need to spend time on court and to play matches.

Of course, we talk with my coach. We speak all the time about my game. We try things in practice and try to improve my shots. But at the end I just need to spend time on court and things kind of come back naturally. Without even speaking too much, you kind of just get in your rhythm again and are feeling better and better.

The trust has been there. It hasn't disappeared ever.