A key storyline at Roland Garros final yr was the ‘Uncle Toni controversy’. Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of all-time nice Rafael Nadal, coaches Felix Auger-Aliassime. Earlier than the pair clashed on the Parisian clay, Uncle Toni instructed the media he needed his nephew to win.
That brought about drama within the media, the place some puzzled how Auger-Aliassime would really feel concerning the state of affairs. The second grew to become a central theme within the fifth episode of Netflix’s new tennis sequence, Break Level.
Though dramatic on the present, Auger-Aliassime instructed ATPTour.com that there was no controversy on his aspect.
“I had been working with him for some time. It’s a dialogue that we had from day one about doubtlessly taking part in Rafa… [that]usually that he would possibly sit it out and never be within the field or simply watch from a impartial place,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “It was nonetheless good to see him on the match, although. After all I noticed him within the entrance row.
“It was good to see him there simply to know he was within the stadium watching the match, watching over us. So he’s been an essential half additionally of my success prior to now two years. I used to be pleased that he was there, truly. However no it didn’t trouble me in any means.”
Auger-Aliassime pushed Nadal to 5 units in an epic encounter on the clay-court main. Ideas about Uncle Toni, the place the Spaniard was sitting and whom he was supporting had been removed from the Canadian’s thoughts. Auger-Aliassime was not involved about who was throughout the web from him, both.
“I used to be actually simply locked in on the concept of successful. as a participant that to be able to win it’s extra about the way you’re going to play, and the alternatives you’re going to make and in addition how nicely you’re going to execute your recreation plan that’s going to make the distinction,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “After the match is completed then you’ll be able to look again… then you’ll be able to respect the second or what you’ve been in a position to do, however when the match shouldn’t be over but, you’re actually simply looking for a method to win.
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“That’s what I bear in mind, simply taking it recreation by recreation and attempting to see if I may give myself an opportunity to win.”
Regardless of his loss, Roland Garros proved a confidence-booster for Auger-Aliassime, who later in 2022 soared to the best heights of his profession. He climbed to a career-high No. 6 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and certified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the primary time.
“The French Open was a particular event for me this yr. It was a event the place I struggled to win any match prior to now. I used to be injured one yr after which I used to be truly 0-2. I assumed, ‘Okay, this time round I have to win my first match’,” Auger-Aliassime recalled. “I ended up taking part in Rafa on centre court docket within the Spherical of 16 on Sunday. It was a big day stuffed with after all pressure and numerous feelings earlier than, however in the long run the truth that I used to be in a position to push it to 5 units sort of confirmed additionally that I may play nicely on any floor at any event.
“It was an enormous deal for me and it gave me numerous confidence heading into the remainder of the season. Now trying again at it, I feel displaying up once more on the event this yr I’m going to really feel higher about my probabilities.”