WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 19, 2021

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Press Conference

F. AUGER-ALIASSIME/M. Berrettini

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I guess you got revenge on your good friend?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Yeah, look, I mean, every chance -- I mean, you play a match, you just try to win. Nothing more than that.

Of course, yeah, Matteo is a good friend outside the court. He's a great player on the court with great sportsmanship. At the end of the day, when we come on the court, we give the best out of each other. That's how we respect each other the most is just battling and trying to win, you know, and be competitive.

You know, today I played a great match. I think in some parts he didn't play his best level that I have seen him play, but at the end, it's tennis. There is a situation on the court, and he tried to do the best with it. Today I was able to find a way through, and I'm happy I did.

Q. Looking at the match at Wimbledon and match here, do you see some major differences in both matches?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Again, Wimbledon, there were some really good parts and bad parts. I think I had a bad start in Wimbledon. It was tricky to start a match this way, always battling, trying to come back.

Even though I had a good period between the second and third set in Wimbledon, there were just too many holes in my game, I think on my serve. He was serving well. I think using his slice really well on the grass.

I think today, you know, here with the higher bounce and with me being able to move even better to defend, being able to return also even better, I felt like, yeah, things were going more on my side that way.

Q. Now you have a setup, Friday night match with Stefanos. I think you guys played in juniors, if I'm correct, but not on the ATP Tour? Am I wrong?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: No, we played five times on the ATP Tour, actually. We played quite a lot. I won the first few times. He beat me the last few times.

He's a great rival, and tomorrow is going to be another great battle. From now on it's going to be top, top players, and I will try to use that momentum to go as far as I can.

Q. Does this give you a lot of confidence going to the US Open in a couple of weeks? How do you feel your game is right now?

FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME: Well, I'm not there yet, to be honest. There is a match tomorrow. I'm going to try to get through that one, and then we will see for the US Open.