Felix Auger-Aliassime: I think I can do great things when season resumes

Rising Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime says he feels good about where he is at and he is optimistic he can do some great things before the season ends. 

The 20-year-old enjoyed a great start to the season but couldn't continue his great form after the season was suspended on March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In February, the Canadian made back-to-back ATP finals but failed to lift his maiden ATP title as he lost the Rotterdam final against France's Gael Monfils, before he was beaten by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Marseille final a week later. 

The season is set to resume this month and world No. 20 Auger-Aliassime is ready and hoping to achieve some good results.

"I feel I'm at the level where I'm normally at my best, so that's a good sign," Auger-Aliassime said, as quoted on We Love Tennis France.

"I think I can do great things by the end of the season. I don't expect results, but I want to win."

Auger-Aliassime doesn't want to pressure himself 

Auger-Aliassime enjoyed a strong grass season last year and many jumped in on calling him one of the favorites for the Wimbledon title.

After ending runner-up to Italian Matteo Berrettini in the Stuttgart final, the Canadian made the semifinal at the Queen's Club.

"I felt a bit of vertigo before Wimbledon,” Felix recalled during an interview with Eurosport, as quoted on Essentially Sports. “I had made the final in Stuttgart, a semi-final at Queens. And arriving at Wimbledon I heard people say that I was pretty much among the favourites for the title.”

"I told myself to calm down. It stressed me out a little. I have to adapt to this new life, to these new pressures. For the time being, I have been lucky that these periods of adaptation are rather short-lived, but they are still there."

As a high-ranked tennis player, Auger-Aliassime has already a notable sum of money and he will continue to collect big cheques.

But he has a higher purpose and that's why he decided to run some charitable campaigns.

"Of course, earnings are something that gives you personal freedom, a comfort for yourself and your family. But it’s also there to help others," Auger-Aliassime acknowledged.

It remains to be seen if Auger-Aliassime will be able to win a maiden ATP title before the season ends.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3ih6VBo