Felix Auger-Aliassime Eyes Montreal Run With Big Names Absent

Felix Auger-Aliassime returns to Montreal Masters as no. 2 seed

‘I Would watch all the training’ says Felix Auger-Aliassime back in Montreal as contender.

“The brain is used to having its routines...”

Felix Auger-Aliassime will compete with hometown pride on the line when the ATP Montreal Masters gets underway Sunday in his home city.  

The world No. 4 returns as the No. 2 seed to a tournament he grew up attending. As a young player he would watch his idols train and learn from them up close between his own matches.

“There were several times when I didn’t have a ticket, so I would watch all the training sessions,” he said Saturday at the event, where he’s seeded behind Roland Garros champion and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev.  

“I learned even more things during training since they (fans) have the chance to be very, very close to the players.”  

Auger-Aliassime parted ways with longtime coach Frederic Fontang after 10 years, following a tough five-set Wimbledon quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic.

He’ll have most of the crowd behind him at a tournament that’s without several big names, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The Italian skipped the event after his Wimbledon win, leaving organizers scrambling.

Joining Sinner in sitting out with the US Open less than a month away are 39-year-old Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who is still recovering from the right wrist injury that’s sidelined him since mid-April.

Auger-Aliassime’s best run in Canada came four years ago when he reached the quarterfinals. He was knocked out in the second round last year.

Even with the home support, Auger-Aliassime said he plans to stick to his normal routine and keep his focus on his own game.

“Already, my expectations or hopes are at the same level as the public's. So already, there is no gap at that level,” he said.

“I have my work to do, I have my preparation, I have my routines, so all that doesn't change.

“I try to change as few things as possible, even if I'm playing in Montreal. Yes, I'm a bit more in-demand obviously than at other tournaments, but I try to keep my routines.

Your top 8 seeds for #NBO26!🚨

1️⃣ Alexander Zverev

2️⃣ Félix Auger-Aliassime

3️⃣ Alex de Minaur

4️⃣ Daniil Medvedev

5️⃣ Ben Shelton

6️⃣ Flavio Cobolli

7️⃣ Taylor Fritz

8️⃣ Alexander Bublik

See you at IGA Stadium from August 1-13!🎾

Read more 👉 https://t.co/3Jm9VqPaJ3 pic.twitter.com/wKGtr290Az

— Omnium Banque Nationale (@OBNmontreal) July 27, 2026

“The brain is used to having its routines. And that helps to program oneself well or to prepare well for the tournament.”

All 32 seeds in the 96-player draw get a bye into the second round, with Auger-Aliassime set to face either France’s Luca van Assche or a qualifier in his opener.

Top seed Alexander Zverev made the semifinals in Toronto last year.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur is seeded third, followed by Daniil Medvedev at No. 4, while defending champion Ben Shelton comes in as the No. 5 seed.