Felix: ‘I'm going to try to just keep going’

Felix Auger-Aliassime has plenty of positives to take away from the Mutua Madrid Open, where he reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final.

“Even with the circumstances, there were some good moments where I showed a good level,” Auger-Aliassime said after losing to Andrey Rublev in Sunday’s three-set championship clash. “Obviously it was a weird week with all the walkovers, but I'm going to head into next week with the same confidence I came in this week actually, this tournament, I felt like I could play well.

“Rome is the same thing. I feel like it's a tournament where I have had good memories, as well, in the past. I'm going to try to just keep going, keep doing the things I'm doing well, not put too much pressure, expectations that I need to be perfect, and enjoy. Enjoy the days and learn from the downs, stay cool and take it easy.”

All love and respect between @AndreyRublev97 and @felixtennis 👏

We love to see it 🫶@MutuaMadridOpen | #ThisIsTennis pic.twitter.com/7ABugf1SxS

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 5, 2024

The Canadian benefitted from a walkover and two mid-match retirements en route to the final. But the 23-year-old also showed form reminiscent of his time in the world’s Top 10, defeating red-hot Barcelona champion Casper Ruud in straight sets.

In the final against Rublev, Auger-Aliassime battled well and saved eight of the 11 break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. His 14 aces helped keep the match tight until the end of the third set. But ultimately, Rublev prevailed in two hours and 49 minutes.

“It’s a long match, three sets, many games. I think overall I served well, as good as I could. But from the baseline and the return I felt like there are matches where I do a little bit better,” Auger-Aliassime said. “[I was] not finding precision as much as other times on certain shots, the return, coming in early and trying to put some pressure, but then not being precise. So not having this tool of mine that I can have, putting pressure on the return [of his] second serve early, and then the backhand wasn't finding as much precision as well on the crosscourts and down-the-lines.

“That part, the first set was great, but then the second set, wasn't quite the best. But then at the end, [I was] just fighting with what I had. I think my serve was keeping me through the match, and I was really hoping to find a way to get a break or something. But yeah, wasn't meant to be.”

Auger-Aliassime, who said he struggled in the middle of the tournament with his stomach, suffered from cramp in the deciding set. Felix saved five of the six break points he faced in the third set, but was never able to put an abundance of pressure on his opponent, which proved his downfall.

“From the start of the third set, as soon as it started, I started feeling some cramps, both my legs. Then it was just trying to hold serve and, I don't know, I had many, many thoughts. I was a bit disappointed with how things were going,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I was trying to manage it, trying to stay there, obviously knowing that I could serve well. I was just, like, ‘Every serve I've got to serve as good as I can’, and I was able to until 6-5. And then, it's not rocket science. Two double faults in the [final] game, and I don't know, one more mistake probably from my part.”

Although Auger-Aliassime was unable to lift the trophy, he was sure to credit his opponent.

“I just want to say he was deserving to win today,” Auger-Aliassime said.

The five-time ATP Tour titlist on Monday will climb 15 spots to No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings.