Felix Auger-Aliassime was feeling delighted on Sunday after he captured his first tour-level title at the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament.
The Canadian entered the showdown in Rotterdam against Stefanos Tsitsipas holding an 0-8 record in ATP Tour finals, but he finally ended the wait for his first title with an impressive performance, leaving Auger-Aliassime ecstatic.
“It is a dream come true,” Auger-Aliassime said in his post-match press conference. “To be able to serve that well and dominate, it was a special match and one I will remember for a long time. It is a special day for me. It is something I have been thinking about and finally the day comes. It is the most special day of my career.”
His victory over the Greek has capped off a strong start to the season for the 21-year-old, who helped guide Canada to the ATP Cup title in January, before he reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open.
“This year I feel more mature. I feel I am a better player than in the years before when I was playing those finals,” Auger-Aliassime added. “I think I showed it today and proved it to myself and everybody and I think it is a good sign of what is to come. I am not going to stop here, with the possibility to keep proving myself and my worth.”
The World No. 9 competed in his maiden ATP Tour final in Rio de Janeiro in 2019 aged 18. Having lost to Laslo Djere that day, the Canadian then fell agonisingly short on a further seven occasions.
However, the third seed believes that now he has lifted his first trophy, it will make him a more relaxed and therefore more dangerous opponent moving forward at the business end of tournaments.
“It is a big relief. I had doubts, fears at times and I stressed,” Auger-Aliassime admitted. “But it is now a big relief about not having to hear about these finals anymore. Now I can play even more freely when it comes to the last matches in the tournament.”
Auger-Aliassime was supported by his mother throughout the final in Rotterdam. To win and be able to share his maiden trophy with his family is something the Canadian relished.“It was great. For my mum to be here, this was her first tournament, so to have won in front of a family member is very special," Auger-Aliassime added. "We called my dad right after the match and it was a pretty emotional moment for my family and I.”
