Félix Auger-Aliassime spent time in the Arthur Ashe Stadium locker room with Roger Federer, John McEnroe, and Andy Roddick during the US Open's tribute to the retiring Swiss legend, according to La Presse. The Quebec player will now attempt to begin writing his own legacy at the tournament, starting with a first-round match against Australian Rinky Hijikata, ranked No. 85.
What did Auger-Aliassime say about Federer's legacy?
Auger-Aliassime praised Federer's enduring impact on professional tennis, noting that the 45-year-old continues to draw crowds for exhibition matches. He highlighted Federer's generosity with his time over the years and described the Swiss player's influence as extending well beyond his competitive career. Federer will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Newport, Connecticut.
Who is Auger-Aliassime's opening opponent?
Hijikata, the Australian ranked No. 85 in the world, will face Auger-Aliassime in the first round. The 26-year-old Canadian turned 26 on August 8 and is seeking to make a deep run at Flushing Meadows.
Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion and four-time Grand Slam finalist, offered his own assessment of Auger-Aliassime on his podcast, describing him as "really a good person, a really decent human being." The first-round match is scheduled to take place in the coming days.
Sources
- La Presse: Félix Auger-Aliassime : le temps d'écrire sa propre légende. La Presse, 2026-08-29.
Reported from public sources.