It is the victory that removes the greatest weight from my shoulders, he said at a press conference after his victory. It is a very big relief. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while.
: “there, this year, I have to really put things in place to win this first title”. It’s become a really specific goal, compared to previous years where I was playing tournaments hoping for it to happen. It was the first goal on the list starting the year. So that it happens in the third tournament, it’s a huge relief.”,”text”:”After last season, I sat down with my team, I said to myself: “there, this year, I have to really put things in place to win this first title”. It’s become a really specific goal, compared to previous years where I was playing tournaments hoping for it to happen. It was the first goal on the list starting the year. So that it happens in the third tournament, it’s a huge relief.”}}”>After last season, I sat down with my team, I said to myself: “there, this year, I must really put things in place to win this first title“. It’s become a really specific goal, compared to previous years when I played tournaments hoping for it to happen. It was the first goal on the list starting the year. So for it to happen in the third tournament , that’s a huge relief.
Auger-Aliassime had lost his first eight matches in the tournament final on the ATP circuit. The Quebecer indicated that these defeats made him a better player, a better person.
From start to finish, he played a very high level game.
From the start, he broke Stefanos Tsitsipas, the tournament’s first favorite. Imperial in service, Auger-Aliassime won 100% of the points with his first balls in the first set. The tournament’s third-seed hit 73% of his first serves.
He continued to pressure Tsitsipas in the first game of the second set, in which he broke his opponent’s serve. He scored again to take a 4-1 lead.
Auger-Aliassime was never again worried.
The Quebecer won 62% of the points disputed in the final and 100% of the points that ended at the net. Thanks to seven aces, he won 93% of the points with his first ball. Finally, he converted 50% of the break points obtained (3 in 6).
Félix Auger-Aliassime claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them – possession being 1 percent. This approach allowed him to avoid unprovoked mistakes. I found that he missed his shots before me on some occasions. It’s a different scenario from the games I played against Tsitsipas last year.
Reflecting on the most special day of his career, Auger-Aliassime said the final was one of the best matches he had played this week.
I had a good start. I was serving well and was focused on winning my serve. I am a better player than last year, more mature. It’s a good sign for what’s to come
explained the player who had lost his first eight matches in the tournament final on the ATP circuit.
This victory in Rotterdam, which confirms an excellent start to the season, leads the player to no longer have complexes in relation to his opponents.
I no longer have any reason to feel that I am inferior to anyone. It makes sense in relation to my goals and where I want to go, always having humility and respect for all my competitors. Everyone plays very well. There are still a lot of players who are better ranked than me, who have done better than me. It remains that yes, compared to where I want to go one day, I have to enter each match thinking that I can win, that I can dominate my opponent. Victories like this are very good for my confidence
he specified.
The 21-year-old won his first tournament ahead of his mother. She decided to travel more with me this year
said the ninth player in the world ranking.
And how will he celebrate this victory? With a dinner with my team and my family. Nothing too crazy, we’re going home tomorrow and we’ll prepare for the next tournament.
An opponent who gave me nothing
dit Tsitsipas
In a press conference after the final, Stefanos Tsitsipas praised his opponent’s performance. Félix Auger-Aliassime, he said, served well throughout the final and I was not able to reply
.
: he gave me nothing”,”text”:”I felt mentally exhausted. I was not able to serve well today. My first serve percentage was so low. I don’t want to take anything away from what Félix achieved: he gave me nothing”}}”>I felt mentally exhausted. I was not able to serve well today. My first serve percentage was so low. I don’t want to take anything away from what Félix achieved: he gave me nothing
added the fourth player in the world.
Tsitsipas hit 56% of his first serves and won just 33% of successful second serves. He also committed four double faults.