Tennis star Félix Auger-Aliassime returned to his roots in L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, where a heartwarming homecoming event featured a reunion with his former sixth-grade teacher, Stéphan Auclair, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque marking his athletic beginnings.
A Homecoming Rooted in L’Ancienne-Lorette
The 26-year-old athlete admitted to feeling slightly emotional while hitting a few tennis balls at a local site that holds deep personal significance, according to coverage by Le Soleil.
“It warms the heart. I have nothing but good memories,” Auger-Aliassime told Le Soleil, emphasizing the peaceful and secure environment that L’Ancienne-Lorette provided during his youth.
During the gathering, Mayor Gaétan Pageau addressed local students, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions even if those dreams involve sports. Auger-Aliassime echoed that sentiment to the young audience:
“I sat in the same classrooms as you and I also had homework to do. It’s simply important that you know there is nothing impossible in life,” he said, as reported by Le Soleil.
Reunion with Teacher Stéphan Auclair
Among the attendees at the école primaire des Hauts-Clochers was Stéphan Auclair, who taught Auger-Aliassime during his sixth-grade year in 2011–2012. Auclair immediately recognized his former student, who reciprocated the greeting warmly.
“You never know when you make an impression on a student, but the opposite is also true. I am very happy to see that he recognized me. He has remained simple and humble despite his success,” Auclair told Le Soleil, adding that he hoped to have his 2011–2012 graduation album signed by the professional tennis player.
Auclair recalled that even as a child, Auger-Aliassime possessed strong academic aptitude alongside his burgeoning athletic talents, noting that the young player frequently traveled for weekend tournaments but consistently kept pace with his schoolwork by coordinating assignments through his father.
A Unique Honor and Ending Debate Over Hometown Roots
To honor his achievements, local officials presented Auger-Aliassime with a commemorative plaque celebrating his early steps in the sport. While the professional tennis player keeps hundreds of trophies at his home, he noted that this distinct honor holds a special place.
“I’m going to put it next to the others. It’s a great recognition and it’s the first time I’ve received this kind of honor,” Auger-Aliassime remarked to Le Soleil, explaining that because his career started locally, receiving this acknowledgment carries unique meaning.
The event also provided an opportunity for the athlete to definitively address ongoing media discussions regarding his origins. Although born in Montreal, Auger-Aliassime clarified that his formative years belong entirely to L’Ancienne-Lorette.
“It’s a funny debate that persists and I can close it today by saying that I am from L’Ancienne-Lorette,” he stated. “I was born in Montreal, but I have no memory of that place. For me, what is important is the place where you grew up.”
