Félix Auger-Aliassime has hired former world No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic as his new coach, turning to the veteran strategist to reverse a slump and secure a berth at the ATP Finals. The Times first reported the appointment, which the Canadian player subsequently confirmed. The partnership follows Auger-Aliassime’s decision in July to end a decade-long coaching collaboration with Frederic Fontang.
Ivan Ljubicic Brings Grand Slam Pedigree to Team Auger-Aliassime
Ljubicic carries a proven championship resume into his role with the 26-year-old Montreal native. The 47-year-old Croatian reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 3 during his playing days before transitioning to elite coaching. Most notably, Ljubicic guided Roger Federer from 2016 through the Swiss legend’s retirement in 2022. Under their guidance, Federer captured three Grand Slam titles—including the 2017 Australian Open following knee surgery—and returned to the summit of the ATP rankings. Ljubicic also previously coached Canadian Milos Raonic and currently serves as a special consultant to French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton, a federation role he will maintain alongside his new duties with Auger-Aliassime.
Form Struggles and Physical Hurdles Prompt Coaching Change
The coaching acquisition addresses a turbulent stretch for Auger-Aliassime, who sits at No. 5 in the global rankings but finds himself fighting for a spot in the season-ending tournament. The Canadian holds a 35-17 match record in 2026 overall, yet dropped three of his last four ATP-level outings prior to the announcement. His summer campaign brought candid admissions of frustration regarding his competitive level, compounded by physical ailments during a second-round exit at the US Open. Those recent setbacks followed quarterfinal runs at both Roland Garros, where he fell in four sets to Flavio Cobolli, and Wimbledon, where he lost a five-set quarterfinal thriller to Novak Djokovic. His career-best major results remain semifinal appearances at Flushing Meadows in 2021 and 2025.
ATP Finals Qualification Chase Heading into Shanghai
Occupying 15th place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, Auger-Aliassime requires a sharp upward trajectory over the autumn indoor swing to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the third time in his career. The newly formed player-coach combination faces an immediate test at the upcoming ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. There, the world No. 5 will debut his partnership with Ljubicic while attempting to close the ranking points gap needed to break into the elite eight-man year-end field.
Worth a look
