It has been a tough run for Félix Auger-Aliassime but after a brilliant result in Madrid, there is reason for optimism that the Canadian No. 1 is turning a corner heading into Rome.  Last week, Auger-Aliassime contested the biggest singles final of his career to date and looked like his old self. Now he needs to carry the confidence forward.  Here’s what you need to know.  In Case You Missed It: Auger-Aliassime Finds His Feet in Madrid  After a long spell of struggles in the big events, Félix Auger-Aliassime was overdue to catch a break and once some luck went his way, he t ..read more

Félix Auger-Aliassime was so close to becoming the first Candian man to win a Masters 1000 singles title, but Andrey Rublev had other ideas in the Mutua Madrid Open final on Sunday.  Despite taking the opening set, the Canadian could not hold off his feisty opponent, eventual falling in his first Masters 1000 final 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.  Canadian men are now 0-6 in Masters 1000 singles finals. Bianca Andreescu remains the most recent and only Canadian, male or female, to win a 1000-level singles title.  It was a wild week for Auger-Aliassime, who had two opponents retire and got a fre ..read more

Félix Auger-Aliassime is off to the finals of the Madrid Open after opponent Jiri Lehecka was forced to retire just six games into their match. It was a sad and anti-climactic finish to what had been a well anticipated semifinal. The showdown began competitively with both players imposing their heavy groundstrokes, and Lehecka escaping early trouble in the third game, saving a break point chance to hold for a 2-1 lead. However, at 3-2 in the opening set, a sudden movement left Lehecka wincing in pain. The Czechian left the court for physio treatment at 3-3 but was unable to continue, halting t ..read more

In April on the ITF Masters Tour, Robert Oleksiuk and Gilbert A. White led the way for the Canadians by both scoring multiple titles across the ocean.  Meanwhile back home, the host nation defended its territory well at an ITF event on the west coast.   Let’s catch up with the Canadian tennis players competing on the ITF Masters Tour.    ITF Vancouver  The ITF Masters Tour passed through Canada for the second time in 2024, stopping by Vancouver for the 45th annual VLTBC Masters Indoor Tennis Championships. The host nation was well represented, getting at least one hand ..read more

The official draw for the Billie Jean King by Gainbridge Cup Finals took place today in London, United Kingdom, and the Canadian team presented by Sobeys finds itself in the top half of the draw. As one of the four seeded teams, Canada will receive a direct bye to the quarter-finals and will face the winner of the tie between Germany and Great Britain. “Winning the Billie Jean King Cup last year for the first time in our country’s history is something we’ll never forget,” said Heidi El Tabakh, captain of the Canadian team. “However, even though we’re the defending champions, we want ..read more

Félix Auger-Aliassime required limited court time to book his place in the round of 16 in Madrid, storming past Jakub Mensik 6-1, 1-0 (ret.) in 35 minutes. In the first career meeting between the players, the Canadian’s skillset and experience proved too much for the 18-year-old. Auger-Aliassime took charge early, pressuring his Czechian opponent to draw an early break and build a quick 3-0 lead. Photo – Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour See: Canadians in action The Canadian continued his dominance from there, winning 92 percent of first serve points and controlling play from the baseline. The 23-year ..read more

It has been a while since Félix Auger-Aliassime has looked as good as he has in Madrid.  Week one of the Mutua Madrid Open saw some impressive performances by the Canadians, but the man from Montreal is the only one still going at the 1000-level event.  Meanwhile, Canadians continue to have success on the ITF wheelchair tour.  Here’s what you need to know.  In Case You Missed It: Good Signs in Madrid  Three Canadians entered the fray at the first mixed Masters 1000 on clay of 2024 and all three got off to winning starts. However, only one made it to the second week.&nb ..read more

Ons Jabeur kept her composure late, overcoming Leylah Annie Fernandez 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 24 minutes to advance to the round of 16 at the Madrid Open. In a showdown of two seeded opponents and former Grand Slam finalists, it was the veteran Tunisian and world number nine who got the better of her 21-year-old opponent. Initially, it was a strong start to the match for the Canadian. Read more: Shapovalov beats Etcheverry to march on in Madrid Fernandez opened quickly by breaking the three-time Grand Slam finalist and raced out to a 3-0 lead. The crafty Tunisian responded, mixing in deli ..read more

Denis Shapovalov played one of his most complete matches of the season, defeating 26th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(3), 6-3 to advance to the third round of Madrid. The Canadian struck 33 winners and fired eight aces to collect his second clay court win of 2024. In a match dripping with quality from the outset, the two opponents engaged in some thrilling and physical baseline rallies on the red clay in Spain. Photo – Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour It was Shapovalov who struck first, unleashing a pair of early forehand winners to break for a 2-1 lead, only to see the Argentinian immediately leve ..read more

The Canadians hardly had it easy, but both Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Annie Fernandez won their opening matches at the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday.  Both Canadians had to battle after slow starts but managed to grit through to advance to the second and third round respectively.  Auger-Aliassime got through to the second round of the Madrid Open by defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in 2 hours, 20 minutes.   The Montreal native responded from a slow start, firing 11 aces and hitting 32 winners to overcome a strong physical challenge from his opponent. Nis ..read more