Auger-Aliassime, after reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros: "I did not hire Toni Nadal to get better on clay courts"

Pedro de Pablos | 1 Jun 2026 | 20.15

Auger-Aliassime, after reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros: "I didn't hire Toni Nadal to improve on clay courts"

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Felix Auger-Aliassime has reached his first quarterfinals at Roland Garros after defeating Alejandro Tabilo in three sets, which positions him as one of the favorites to achieve his first Grand Slam title. Furthermore, he boasted about his skills on clay in the press conference, although he made it clear that it is not his favorite surface at the moment.

One wouldn't think so, as the Canadian tennis player has been showing a very solid performance throughout the tournament, overcoming tough situations and proving why he is one of the most reliable players on the circuit. Additionally, he has secured leaving Paris as world number 4. Nevertheless, he does not like being told that clay is his weak point, and he even confessed that he didn't hire Toni Nadal at the time to improve on clay.

Here's what Felix Auger-Aliassime had to say after the level shown against Tabilo at Roland Garros

Match against Tabilo

Yes, it was my best match so far in the tournament. The win feels good. I feel good playing the way I aspire to play in this sport. Today, at a Grand Slam, this is the type of match one wants to play. I'm very happy with my performance.

Reaching all Grand Slam quarterfinals, but only two semifinals at the US Open

There isn't a specific reason. Each tournament is different. Every Grand Slam you play is an opportunity to win, mathematically speaking. In some, I lost in the first round; in others, in the semifinals. In the two semifinals I played, in one I faced a player who was much better than me at that moment. Again, also against Sinner, he was better than me. I don't think there's another reason than being a better player. That's why I step onto the court every day. Yesterday, tomorrow, I'm back on the practice court with the ambition to improve.

Taking it one match at a time

I think we've already gotten used to it, at least from my side. I think there were one or two days in a row of a lot of activity, like when Sinner lost, when Djokovic lost, there was a lot of commotion. But that was last week. Then, as the days go by, you get used to it. Today I didn't feel any nerves. I don't know if this should generate them, but I didn't feel anything different. Playing against Cobolli in quarters is something usual since he's the tenth seed, so, in a way, it's a normal matchup. And of course, not having Sinner, for example, in the semifinals is another opportunity, but you have to be there. So, I have to focus on the next match and then try to reach the semis.

Where does clay rank among your favorite surfaces

I have always liked playing on clay. One of my biggest strengths is my serve, and obviously, indoors, without sun or wind, I can be consistent. The surface is a bit faster, so I think my serve performs even better indoors, but it's important to serve well on any surface. It's funny because we also play a lot on hard courts. I don't know what percentage of the season we play on hard courts, but I remember that when I was 18 or 19, I played more on clay.

I reached finals in Rio, Lyon, and other tournaments. So, I played in Gstaad and Umag on clay during the summer. Now, I only play on hard courts, that's why I don't play as much on clay anymore. And although I haven't had very good results on grass in recent years, although I also like grass, it's just the number of tournaments, so not many opportunities arise. I think that explains it all. If I played 15 clay tournaments a year, I'd probably be a better player on that surface.

Improvement on the clay court tour at Roland Garros

Look, in the first match, I didn't play very well. I was down two sets to one. I managed to come back and won a tiebreak in the fifth set. If that tiebreak hadn't gone my way, I would've had to go back home. Now I'm in the quarterfinals. There's something about that; I also won two tiebreaks in my last match. When these close sets go your way, sometimes you can capitalize on it and go further in tournaments and find your best form as the tournament progresses.

In Madrid and Rome, I only lost a couple of tiebreaks. I couldn't play well enough to control the entire match, so I think it's a bit because of that. And then, obviously, in Grand Slams, I can spend more time on the court and find my game as the tournament progresses.

Improvement on clay court over the years

I've repeated this a lot in my career. I don't know, maybe if I win the tournament, I'll make it clear to everyone: I don't care about clay. I just don't care. I'm going to tell you a story. When I was 18, my coaches thought I should go play in South America because I was better on clay. So I went to Rio, Buenos Aires, São Paulo... In the summer, I skipped grass to play on clay. At 18, the plan was to play more on clay.

Over the years and with the improvement of my game, it was natural for me to play the most important tournaments on hard courts and play indoors at the beginning and end of the year. I don't care about clay. And I didn't hire Toni to play better on clay. I just wanted to learn from someone who has been at the highest level of tennis. That was the key. Not just to be better on clay.

Previous matches against Cobolli, your next opponent

I remember it, but I think for neither him nor me, these matches are relevant to the next one we're going to play. I think it's very different. Honestly, yes, when we played in Montreal, I arrived two days earlier after playing the Paris Olympics, so I came because I was playing at home and wanted to play in front of my audience, but I wasn't in a position to play well. He destroyed me. I played terribly. Then, yes, we played a very contested match in Acapulco. It was tough. I served poorly. But I could already see that he was a great player.

He wasn't at the top of the rankings, but when you see how he moves, when you see his shots, you realize he has talent, you realize he's a very complete player. He has great technique. I've always admired his game. I think he's a great player. Now we've had the chance to train together more and more as the years have gone by. This guy has many qualities. So, for me, this next match will be very challenging.

Can Cobolli be a top 10 player and win Grand Slams?

I think there are many players, we're all in this category. Obviously, there are the two players who dominate the game currently. Zverev deserves the third spot, and then there's me and all the others, who are very close both in points and level. So far, we've all had ups and downs. Cobolli has also had ups and downs throughout the season. I think the question is not just who will be able to win a Grand Slam, but who will be able to elevate their tennis to the level of being consistent year after year.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Auger-Aliassime, tras meterse en cuartos de Roland Garros: "No fiché a Toni Nadal para ser mejor en tierra batida"

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