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Felix Ready To End 0-8 ATP Finals Slump in Stockholm
7 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles
There is no doubt Felix Auger-Aliassime is a fantastic tennis player. The 21 year old is ranked no. 11 in the world now and his future is unlimited.
However, there is one dark cloud hanging over the young Canadian’s head, haunting his aura and conveying a message to his rivals a sign of weakness that he lacks an important attribute that all champions possess.
Felix has yet to win an ATP singles title in eight attempts he has lost each final, all in straight sets too.
For some strange reason the multi-talented, multi-dimensional perpetual runner-up has failed to produce and perform his best tennis when it mattered most.
But of course, one weekend can change Felix’s fortunes and set his career on the path to greatness that has been forecast him since the age of fourteen.
This week in Stockholm, Felix has slayed Krajinovic and van de Zandschulp to set up a semifinal with his pal and defending champion Denis Shapovalov. If he can win that, the final would be against Tommy Paul or Frances Tiafoe, both Americans ranked considerably lower around the 50 range.
Felix has defeated Shapovalov twice this year, at Australian Open 75 75 63 and in Barcelona 62 63 (and leads the head to head 3-2), so the draw is certainly arranged preferably for him to finally win that elusive first ATP singles title.
Babolat · Felix · Felix Auger-Aliassime · Nike · Stockholm
Hartt · November 13, 2021 at 1:58 pm
As we now know, Felix lost his match against Shapo, and Tommy Paul just defeated Denis in a close match. At age 24, this was Paul’s first final and first title. I haven’t seen much of his play before this tourney, but he has been very impressive all week, beating Fritz and Murray.
I am not overly concerned about Felix’s record so far, but he does need to win a title next season, or there will be reason to worry. Not many players get to a final before they are 20 years old, much less 8. And, for the most part, he lost to very good players, such as Berrettini, Monfils, Tsitsipas, Zverev and Cilic. The concern is that he got nervous in those matches and was far from his best. But he has been doing better in big moments, as getting to the SFs of the USO this year showed. He spoke of having a deep belief now, and I think that will make a difference in how he fares next season.
At the beginning of the season I predict who will make the ATP top 10, and am pleased that I was right about FAA being in the No.10 spot.
Scoop Malinowski · November 13, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Hartt, It is an impressive achievement to play in 8 ATP finals by the age of 21. Not even sure if Federer reached eight finals by that age. But on the flip side it’s an abysmal failure to lose all eight of those finals. All in straight sets too. I think Felix is nice, he has to become a more vicious competitor? How? Boxing training. Or take lessons from Hewitt on how roar CMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN!! at the top of his lungs. )
catherine · November 13, 2021 at 2:44 pm
Why are the ATP Finals contestants (in Turin) allowed to slouch along in what one might loosely call ‘casual’ gear for their promotion photo while the WTA players in Mexico have to plaster on the face slap and don some unflattering garments for their Girls Night Out pic ?
Glamour talks in women’s tennis – in fact glamour actually screams. Although frankly some of those girls would look better in ripped jeans and t-shirts. Maybe holding a tennis racquet or two. It’s what they happen to be there for after all.
Hartt · November 13, 2021 at 2:45 pm
As we now know, Felix lost his match against Shapo, and Tommy Paul just defeated Denis in a close match. At age 24, this was Paul’s first final and first title. I haven’t seen much of his play before this tourney, but he has been very impressive all week, beating Fritz and Murray.
I am not overly concerned about Felix’s record so far, but he does need to win a title next season, or there will be reason to worry. Not many players get to a final before they are 21 years old, much less 8. And, for the most part, he lost to very good players, such as Berrettini, Monfils, Tsitsipas, Zverev and Cilic. The concern is that he got nervous in those matches and was far from his best. But he has been doing better in big moments, as getting to the SFs of the USO this year showed. He spoke of having a deep belief now, and I think that will make a difference in how he fares next season.
At the beginning of the season I predict who will make the ATP top 10, and am pleased that I was right about FAA being in the No.10 spot.
Hartt · November 13, 2021 at 2:47 pm
I had a typo. Meant before Felix was 21, not 20.
Scoop Malinowski · November 14, 2021 at 7:32 am
Catherine, you pointed out another inequality of he atp and wta tours.
catherine · November 14, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Scoop- I don’t know if it’s exactly ‘inequality’ in this case – I’m not sure who decides who wears what. Equality doesn’t come into it – ‘stereotyping’ might. Women have to dress like ’50s beauty queens and men can apparently wear what they like.
Anyway,’equality’ talk is so yesterday. As we know, real money is made off the court.