STOKE POGES, UK | At the very upscale Stoke Park, in front of stands full of ladies in heels who were struggling to walk a few minutes earlier with their thin heels on the grass and a glass of champagne in hand, Félix Auger-Aliassime tested his knee on Wednesday.
A left knee that has been causing him pain “for several months,” he said.
Minutes before meeting Le Journal, Félix had just lost 7-6, 7-6 to Russia’s Andrey Rublev in a match at The Boodles exhibition tournament. The Quebecer is one of the players who honed their grass game in this enchanting setting before heading to Wimbledon.
This pain that torments him is not constant, he says. On Wednesday his knee didn’t bother him. He was wrapped in a black bandage, which no doubt helped.
And his shoulder pain has since disappeared. Just like the illness that made him unwell in that first-round setback at Roland-Garros.
Photo provided by Ben Hoskins for The Boodles
In short, Félix is in a better mood than a month ago when he crossed the Porte d’Auteuil and lost from the start.
“I firmly believe that I can do a good Wimbledon,” he assures.
“There are days when [mon genou] Doesn’t bother me as much as others, but there are some who don’t do so well, he also explains. But that doesn’t completely stop me from playing. I try to make the best of it.”
“It’s the life of an athlete,” the young player philosophizes with a smile.
Photo provided by Ben Hoskins for The Boodles
The Boodles instead of Mallorca
Auger-Aliassime was originally not scheduled to compete in this jeweler Boodles-sponsored exhibition tournament, where “simple” three-game tickets cost $152 and the majority of spectators arrive in luxury cars.
An event that also boasts on its website that it applies the same special features to the care of its lawns as the All England Club.
The world 12th was instead set to travel to Mallorca, Spain to compete in an official ATP event. But his injury-related absence in Halle last week changed his plans.
Photo provided by Ben Hoskins for The Boodles
“Since I’ve never played on grass here before, I was able to prepare so well [une défaite ne l’élimine pas de la compétition], he explains. And at the same time I can cope with the training and condition load.”
“When I retired from Halle, I was a bit unsure about my knee. Mallorca is an official tournament. So if I had to retire again, no other player could stand in for me, unlike here.
“I am confident”
The 22-year-old has yet to win two appearances in the luxurious setting of The Boodles. Before losing to world seventh-ranked Rublev on Wednesday, he had lost to Argentinian Diego Schwartzman the day before.
Defeats that mean nothing in this context. Rarely are players willing to risk injury by playing an extra ball unless there is a classification point at stake.
It is fundamentally important for Félix that the body holds its ground and finds its way. What he’s doing, gradually, although we saw that he suffered more against Schwartzman on Tuesday.
“I am confident [pour Wimbledon], repeated the Quebecer. I’ve played two close games here at a good level and I can serve well.