ATP: Félix Auger-Aliassime arrives in Indian Wells more convinced and more confident

Félix Auger-Aliassime reached a turning point by winning his first career ATP title in Rotterdam last month, in his ninth singles final.

But the spark that became a flame this year was ignited in Indian Wells last October.

This after a first-round loss, 6-4, 6-2 at the hands of Spaniard Albert Ramos-Viñolas.

It’s not that the 21-year-old Quebecer lost per se, or even that he committed seven double faults. It’s more of a mental aspect.

“It’s funny because even though the wins are very significant, I feel like this loss was a bit of a wake-up call. I had just played very well in New York and reached the semi-finals. And I came here thinking it would continue, Auger-Aliassime said on Friday.

“It felt like I let my guard down a bit – like I took a slap in the face to say, hey, it’s not going to be that easy.”

Auger-Aliassime lost the first set, then it went downhill. He had no combativeness, did not try to find solutions.

Auger-Aliassime played indoors in Vienna, Paris and Stockholm before concluding his season. But that day in the desert, something clicked.

“My mindset changed a bit after that game. I had a chat with my team. And a conversation with myself too, Auger-Aliassime said.

“I said to myself that I couldn’t afford to play like that anymore. There are always small stepping stones in a career. I will not forget that game and the conversations that followed.

Auger-Aliassime arrived in Australia for the 2022 season somewhat transformed.

He won against players who gave him headaches.

He came a long way in a third major tournament in a row, reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

A few weeks later, in Rotterdam, it all culminated in his first title.

The following week, the Canadian reached the final the following week in Marseille.

Auger-Aliassime was able to make a short stopover at his home in Montreal for a week, en route from Europe to California.

Lack of time at home is something he now feels he may have underestimated; he was still so young when the decision was made to move to Monaco.

On the tennis side, it’s obvious. The weather is much better. He can also train with other high-level players living in the region.

When the ATP is in Europe, its home is not far away, if there are only a few days between tournaments.

But home is still home. Auger-Aliassime thought he could be there more often. Instead, his family goes to see him.

Given all that, a week in the familiar did him a lot of good.

“I had obligations, but also personal things that I wanted to do with friends or just with my family – dinner with my grandmother, things like that,” he said.

“And I trained in the morning at the IGA Stadium. It was so beneficial to go back to Montreal and see people that I don’t see often.”

Auger-Aliassime, seeded No. 9, took part in a first Masters 1000 by qualifying in Indian Wells four years ago.

He beat his compatriot Vasek Pospisil in the first round before losing in the second round to another Canadian, Milos Raonic.

This year, a tournament winner and top 10 player, he comes with a very different mindset.

Holder of a pass in the first round, his first rival will be Botic Van de Zandschulp or Tennys Sandgren on Sunday.

“I remain aware that to win, I have to play well. The key points of my game – my serve, my forehand accuracy, my movements – all of that has to be in place,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“But I come here with very different ambitions from three or two years ago. I am one of the players who should go further, even if there are going to be difficult matches from the start.

“I think the difference is that I have more composure, conviction and confidence.