'I'm a little destroyed today': Auger-Aliassime's emotional admission after Roland Garros upset
After losing to Flavio Cobolli, the Canadian admitted to a period of doubt about his level and progress.
Félix Auger-Aliassime did not hide his distress after his elimination in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros.
Beaten in four sets by Flavio Cobolli, despite being the clear favorite in a wide-open section of the draw, the Canadian gave a particularly candid press conference about his current state of mind.
"I'm a little destroyed today"
Asked about his disappointment, Auger-Aliassime admitted to going through one of the toughest moments of his recent career:
"On one hand, I can't complain about my life, but where my tennis career stands today, it's hard. I'm a little destroyed today.
Usually, I handle losses pretty well. Every time, I go back to practice with optimism, but this time I feel I'm not the player I want to be.
It's a tough day, I didn't rise to the occasion."
"I'm not progressing as I want"
At nearly 26, the former world No. 6 feels he isn't advancing at the pace he hoped for, despite the lessons accumulated over the seasons:
"I'm becoming less patient with the years, I think. After a disappointing clay season, I tried to bounce back here, I won some matches.
But I haven't progressed as I wanted, or as I anticipated, based on what I learned in previous seasons.
I'm turning 26 this year, and I'm not progressing as I want. That's why I'm not feeling good."
The need to step back
The Canadian explained he wants to take a few days to reassess before tackling the rest of the season:
"I need time, maybe a week, to clear my thoughts, and figure out how to look ahead to the rest of my year, and my career."
