Felix Auger-Aliassime on His Preferred Surfaces and Clay Court Journey
World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime has openly shared his thoughts on the surfaces where he feels most at home. While hard courts remain his strongest, he is also building confidence on clay, a surface that has become an important part of his game. This reflection comes as he prepares for the clay-court season, which kicked off with the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 in Monaco.
Auger-Aliassime reached the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo before facing eventual champion Jannik Sinner. In an interview with Times Sport, the 25-year-old expressed his preference for hard courts, stating, “Obviously, hard court is the most natural for me, growing up in Canada.” However, he also highlighted his comfort on clay, noting, “As a teenager, I played a lot of Challenger tournaments on clay and I feel very comfortable on it. I’d say it’s my second favourite surface after hard courts.”
The Monte-Carlo Masters served as a crucial test for Auger-Aliassime ahead of a challenging clay campaign. His performance in the 2026 season on hard courts has been mixed, with a first-round exit at the Australian Open, a Round of 16 finish at Indian Wells, and a Round of 32 appearance at the Miami Open. Despite these challenges, he has also had moments of success, including winning the Open Occitanie in Montpellier and reaching the final in Rotterdam and the semifinals in Dubai.
“I trust my game and my ability to adapt as I move from hard courts to clay. Hopefully, that shows in Monte-Carlo, but I’m confident I can deliver strong results leading up to Roland Garros,” he said.
Auger-Aliassime is now set to continue his clay season at the Madrid Open, which will take place from April 20 to May 3. The tournament is a key event in the clay-court calendar and offers him another opportunity to refine his game on this surface.
Key Highlights from Auger-Aliassime’s Season
- Hard Court Performance:
- Mixed results, including early exits at major tournaments like the Australian Open.
Strong performances at Indian Wells and Miami Open, though not reaching the latter stages.
Success on Other Surfaces:
- Won the Open Occitanie in Montpellier.
Reached the final in Rotterdam and the semifinals in Dubai.
Clay Court Development:
- Gained experience through Challenger tournaments during his teenage years.
Expresses confidence in adapting his game to clay.
Upcoming Challenges:
- Madrid Open is a critical step in preparing for the French Open.
- Focus remains on improving consistency and performance on clay.
Auger-Aliassime’s journey on clay reflects his determination to grow as a player. While hard courts may be his natural habitat, his willingness to embrace and improve on clay demonstrates his versatility and ambition. As he moves forward, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he performs on this surface, especially as the French Open approaches.
With each tournament, Auger-Aliassime continues to build his reputation as a well-rounded player capable of competing at the highest level across different surfaces. His upcoming matches in Madrid could be a turning point in his season, offering a chance to showcase his progress and solidify his position as a top contender in the sport.
