CANADIAN PHENOM READY TO CAUSE DAMAGE AT THE AO

The simple meaning of phenom is a person who is outstandingly talented or admired; a star. In today’s sports world, the word gets thrown around far too often. The real fact of the matter is that phenoms in any sport at the elite level are few and far between.

In the tennis world, they possibly come along once every generation. When they do come along, the fascination with these athletes is whether they will fulfil their athletic potential throughout their careers.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is one such athlete, bursting onto the Canadian tennis scene more than a decade ago.

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Last night in Adelaide, he captured his sixth ATP Tour title. But it was as early as 13 and 14 years of age that the Canadian showed signs that he could one day rule the tennis world.

Auger-Aliassime began competing on the professional tour at a very young age. On the second-tier ATP Challenger Tour, he is the youngest player to win a main draw match at 14 years and 11 months, and is one of seven players to win a Challenger title by the age of 16.

He is the second-youngest to win multiple Challenger titles at 17 years and one month, and the youngest player to defend a Challenger title at 17 years and 10 months.

This was, of course, combined with a successful international junior career, reaching No.2 in the world and winning the 2016 US Open Boys’ singles title. Junior Grand Slam success is a solid indication that good things are to come, but Auger-Aliassime jumped off the page, and bigger things were expected.

He then started winning on the ATP Tour. Auger-Aliassime made his top 100 and top 25 debuts at age 18, and when he made a run to the semi-finals at the 2021 US Open, the phenom looked like he was ready to explode through the door and take his standing at the top of the sport.

2022 was Auger-Aliassime’s best season. Four ATP Tour titles, one Davis Cup crown and ATP Cup success with Team Canada, along with a world ranking that jumped to No.6.

The phenom out of Canada had finally arrived, but that was how it seemed.

The Australian Open quarter-final loss to Medvedev after holding match point was a bitter bitter pill to swallow. The level that FAA produced in the first two sets suggested he could win the title. He did not close it out. Medvedev escaped, and the recovery in majors from that loss has been painfully slow.

2023 dished up some major challenges, with injuries becoming an issue. Three first-round exits in the majors and a ranking that crashed out of the top 25 quickly became cause for concern.

The question revolved around what is wrong with FAA. Why is he going backwards? A look at the total package tells you that this shouldn’t be occurring.

Standing at 6’ 4” (193 cm) and a lean 88kg, Auger-Aliassime is built for speed, power, reach and mobility. He is the athletic equivalent of a Formula 1 vehicle. The best part of his ground game is the forehand, while the two-hand backhand is solid enough to keep points neutral. The serve and forehand combined with the physical athleticism is the FAA winning formula. But it is the net game and lack thereof putting a hold on his growth and world ranking.

There has been a flat-out reluctance to advance or grow this part of his game. When things are not going well from the back of the court, there rarely is a Plan B or C. To advance deep in the majors and to win them, net play and being comfortable hitting tough volleys when the pressure is on is part of the course. It is a must to hold the biggest trophies in the sport.

Auger-Aliassime just isn't there yet. Can he get there? He sure can. He is a player that should at least be in the top-10, but he can go through matches where he sprays balls to all parts of the court. Quality net play is required.

Last night in the Adelaide International Final, Auger-Aliassime showed what he can produce when he can keep control from the back of the court. He hit his forehand with great shape and spin, which pushed Korda around during baseline rallies. It was only a 10-minute period where Korda lifted his level in the second set, keeping him in the match. FAA was straight back on mentally in set three to take control. 65 per cent success rate on second serves compared with Korda’s 35 per cent told everything.

So, how will things look at Melbourne Park for FAA? One thing is for certain. The first-round draw has not been kind to him. He will take on the dangerous and well-travelled German Jan-Lennard Struff on Court 7, where match will look like the complete opposite of the Adelaide International Final, as Struff will look to attack and come forward at every opportunity. This has been the style that has seen him rocket back up the world rankings, and it makes players feel uncomfortable.

The world No.23 will not be allowed any baseline rhythm, hitting his fair share of passing shots throughout. It will be a big test for the him at the first Slam of the year. Dangerous waters to navigate early on, but a must-win match to show that he is ready to climb back to Top-five status.

So remember what Phenom means. Outstandingly talented. A star. This is FAA. But for every young phenom that comes along, there are just as many challenges. How do they handle the attention? Do they believe in themselves as everybody else believes? Are they super hungry for success and domination? How is the focus? How are things off-court? Are they satisfied? Are they ready? When is it going to happen? Will it happen? Maybe it will, or, maybe it won’t.

Only the phenom knows deep down inside and only the phenom can deliver.

This is Auger-Aliassime’s everyday existence. Striving for the consistent top-end performance he knows he is capable of. It is there; he knows it is because he has felt it and delivered on it before.

He begins his Australian Open charge on Monday.

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