Felix Auger-Aliassime is another rising teenager from Canada after Bianca Andreescu. He is currently the youngest player in the Top-100 rankings. He has a career-high junior ranking at the no. 2.
The 18-year-old reached the round of 16 at the Miami Masters. Entering the tournament as a qualifier, he defeated Casper Ruud in the first round following another three-set win against a tough opponent, Marton Fucsovics. He was as impressive as a top-10 player against Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday. He reached the last 16 after defeating Hubert in straight sets.
The Canadian turned professional in 2017 but he started his junior career back in 2015. He became the youngest player to qualify for an ATP Challenger main draw at the age of 14-and-a-half. With this, he also created a unique record of becoming the first player to born in the 2000s to have an ATP ranking.
He won his first ITF title at the G3 in Queretaro. He won another title at G4 in Zapopan in the next week. He also conquered the doubles title at G4. Later that year, he defeated compatriot Denis Shapovalov to win his first junior G1 title. Pairing with Shapovalov he conquered the US Open doubles title. In the Davis Cup junior, Auger-Aliassime along with Denis Shapovalov and Benjamin Sigouin won the first Junior Davis Cup title for Canada. The year 2015 ended in a good note for the teenager as he won his second G1 title at Herr International Tennis Championship defeating Alex de Minaur in the finals.
Felix continued his momentum in the 2016 season. He reached his first grand slam singles finals at the Junior French Open. He was again impressive at the Wimbledon Juniors reaching the quarterfinals in the singles event and finals in doubles with Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian was splendid as much as ever at the US Open. He captured the boys’ singles title at the US Open vanquishing Miomir Kecmanovic in the finals. He again reached the finals in the doubles event at a junior major but this time pairing with compatriot Benjamin Sigouin.
Felix Auger-Aliassime had an incredible junior career. He had an unbelievable win-loss record of 79-19 at the juniors.
In 2017, Felix won his maiden ATP Challenger tournament at the Open Sopra Steria de Lyon. He became the first 16-year-old player to win an ATP Challenger event since Bernard Tomic in 2009. He conquered his second Challenger tournament at Copa Sevilla. This victory helped him to break into the Top-200 ATP rankings, becoming the youngest player to be in the Top-200 since Rafael Nadal in 2002.
The 18-year-old made his debut in the ATP main draw at Rotterdam Open, last year. He also made it to the main draw of an ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells for the first time. The Indian Wells saw the arrival of a young rising star as he won his first tour-level match against Vasek Pospisil. He was awarded a wild card entry at the Monte-Carlo Masters but couldn't get through his first match against Mischa Zverev.
He created another record of becoming the youngest player to defend an ATP challenger event in Lyon. He won his second tour-level match at the Rogers Cup, entering the tournament with a wild card entry, he defeated Lucas Pouille in the first round but lost to Daniil Medvedev in the second.
The Canadian reached the main draw of a grand slam at the US Open after winning three qualifying matches. He lost the first round against Shapovalov.
At the age of 18, Felix became the youngest player to reach the finals of an ATP 500 event at Rio Open. He lost to Laslo Dere in the finals. He again lost to dere in the quarterfinals in Sao Paulo. The rising Canadian star was in great spirits when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters.
Auger-Aliassime is an effective all-court player with a big serve, decent volley, and excellent athleticism. His groundstrokes are tough to handle for his opponents. He is certainly a strong player to beat. The Canadian has seen his stock rise rapidly, courtesy to his unpredictable game on the court. He will certainly be an exciting player to watch out for.
Video: Felix Auger-Aliassime: 18-Year-Old Prodigy's Career Highlights
