Felix Auger-Aliassime will compete on clay for the primary time this season when he takes to courtroom on the Mutua Madrid Open. The Canadian, presently No. 9 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, has not performed since March resulting from a left knee harm and was urging on the facet of warning when requested about his possibilities on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion within the Spanish capital.
“My ambitions are excessive however my expectations are low,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “In a approach I hope to do very well and I am assured that I can do it however on the identical time I will actually anticipate the worst just a little bit or anticipate that every thing’s going to be actually powerful. I believe I will want my max focus and focus from the primary match.
”Each match goes to be powerful, so if I can get by the early rounds and get some wins behind me, hopefully I’ll get far into the match and play nicely right here.”
Auger-Aliassime, who final competed in Miami one month in the past, has taken his harm setback as a possibility to relaxation and recharge. Whereas he loved the interval, he’s excited to compete once more, beginning towards Jason Kubler or Dusan Lajovic in his opening match.
“I’m feeling higher and higher as the times go by,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “It was tough. I’ve performed lots of tennis because the finish of the final season. I believe I’m simply form of paying the worth just a little bit [in] the previous couple of weeks. Nevertheless it’s a part of the Tour and a part of the game.
“Nevertheless it’s been good, I’ve had time to remain at residence just a little bit, spend time away from the Tour and the stress of simply taking part in matches on a regular basis. It’s form of simply relaxed me mentally, however then additionally [I have] skilled bodily. I’ve had time, which is uncommon to go within the gymnasium and work on different issues, work on issues on the courtroom that I needed to enhance, whereas doing the rehab for my knee on the identical time. I believe it has been an vital interval. Hopefully that pays off within the weeks to come back.”
The four-time tour-level champion Auger-Aliassime holds a 12-7 file on the season, together with his finest outcome a run to the semi-finals in Doha. He’s making his fourth look in Madrid, the place he superior to the quarter-finals final yr.