Felix Auger-Aliassime is a rising star in the sport and has been making a name for Canada on the ATP tour. Felix holds the No. 29 rank and has played 42 matches this season. He is now the only Canadian in the top 100 of the rankings on the ATP tour. This year, his services off the court gained attention, and he was one of the winners of the ATP 2023 awards.
Felix received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award this year for his philanthropic efforts. The 23-year-old had partnered with BNP Paribas in 2020 to form the FAAPointsForChange program. Every time Felix collected a point on the tour, EduChange, started by the NGO CARE to aid kids in the Kara region of Togo, received $20. He has traveled with his father to Togo to meet the children and their families.
Felix Auger-Aliassime has won the 2023 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, and on the ATP Website he has also talked about this
“I am glad to be recognised for not just what I do as a tennis player, but as a person. My dad, Sam, grew up in Togo, a third-world country, where he did… pic.twitter.com/unqR7uiK2U
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) December 12, 2023
In the past three years, $400,000 has been donated to the cause. It has helped over 2,500 children receive educational support, school kits, and vocational training. The funds were also used to supply teaching materials for schools. Felix’s father grew up in Togo, and then the family shifted to Canada. Felix understands it is a cycle of helping people each other.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is hoping to reclaim top form in the 2024 season
The 2023 season saw Felix win 23 matches and lose 19. He did not reach a final in the first nine months of the tour. Felix started the year as world No. 6, his career-best, but slipped to No. 29 by the end of the season.
He did not have a good run at the grand slams, as he exited in the opening rounds at all slams except the Australian Open. In Melbourne, Felix lost to Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round.
After having a disappointing first half this season, Felix went on to defend his title at Basel. He only dropped a single set on the way to the title. The 2021 US Open semifinalist hopes to return to the top of the rankings next season. In 2022, Felix played 87 matches and won 60 of them, but this season, his form dipped, especially in the quarterfinal and semifinal stages.
Back-2⃣-back in Basel
Felix Auger-Aliassime defends his title and lifts the trophy in Basel for the second consecutive year 🏆#SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/GHNWj6ql16
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 29, 2023
The Canadian needs 17 more wins to record 200 wins on the tour. It has only been six years since Felix turned professional. He has collected five titles and nine runner-up trophies so far. Felix is currently training under Toni Nadal and Frederic Fontang. He will next be seen at the United Cup, which will start in two weeks. Felix will be leading the attack for Canada.