Félix Auger-Aliassime advanced to his first Roland Garros quarterfinals after defeating Alejandro Tabilo in three sets, positioning the Canadian among the tournament favourites for his maiden Grand Slam title. In his post-match press conference, Auger-Aliassime described the victory as his best performance of the tournament and said he was pleased with the level of play he displayed.
Why the Nadal comment matters
Auger-Aliassime addressed perceptions that clay remains a weakness by stating he did not hire Toni Nadal to improve specifically on that surface. The Canadian has faced recurring questions about his performance on terre battue, but his run through the draw in Paris suggests his overall game development under Nadal's guidance extends beyond clay-court technique.
Grand Slam quarterfinal pattern
Auger-Aliassime has now reached quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams but has advanced to only two semifinals, both at the US Open. He attributed these varied results to the quality of his opponents rather than a systemic weakness, noting that in his two US Open semifinals he faced players who were superior at those moments. He said each Grand Slam presents a distinct opportunity and that he continues to work daily to improve.
Ranking implications
The Canadian will leave Paris ranked No. 4 in the world following his quarterfinal berth. His next match in the tournament is scheduled for the quarterfinal round.
Sources
- Puntodebreak.com: Auger-Aliassime, after reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros: "I did not hire Toni Nadal to get better on clay courts". Published 2026-06-01.
Reported from public sources.