Felix Auger-Aliassime Posts First Message Since Rotterdam Open Final Loss
Felix Auger-Aliassime's bid for a second consecutive ATP Tour victory was halted by Alex de Minaur on Sunday, marking a setback for the Canadian tennis star. Auger-Aliassime, who claimed the Rotterdam Open title in 2022, faced defeat in this year's final, losing 3-6, 2-6 to de Minaur. The Canadian had been on a winning streak, having secured the Montpellier Open title the week prior and advancing to the Rotterdam final after impressive wins over Alexei Popyrin, Hamad Medjedovic, Tallon Griekspoor, and Alexander Bublik.
Despite his recent success, de Minaur emerged victorious, claiming his 11th ATP Tour title. Auger-Aliassime, aged 25, acknowledged de Minaur's prowess, congratulating his Australian counterpart on his triumph.
In a social media post, Auger-Aliassime expressed his admiration for de Minaur's performance, stating, 'Can't win them all, but proud of the fight over the past two weeks that got me here. More memories in the bank thanks to the amazing crowd in Rotterdam that always make it a treat to play here. Alex de Minaur deserved this one; hope to see you in many more finals.'
This marks Auger-Aliassime's second loss in three Rotterdam Open finals. In 2020, he fell to Gael Monfils, but two years later, he secured his first ATP Tour title in the Dutch city by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas. De Minaur, on the other hand, snapped a losing streak in Rotterdam, having previously lost in the final of the 2024 and 2025 events to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively.
The question arises: What does the future hold for these tennis stars? Will de Minaur maintain his top-five ranking in 2026? And will Auger-Aliassime's loss in the Rotterdam final serve as a catalyst for his Grand Slam aspirations in 2026? The tennis world eagerly awaits the outcomes of these talented players' journeys.