In 2022, Félix Auger-Aliassime gave his all. He achieved a number of targets and acquired well-deserved honours and accolades.
Canada’s worldwide tennis famous person had barely downed his Davis Cup champagne when boarded a airplane certain for Africa. To not lounge on one of many continent’s pristine seashores (not but, a minimum of) however relatively to make his method to Togo: a small West African republic whose almost 48-kilometre shoreline touches the Gulf of Guinea.
Togo is the place his father Sam Aliassime was born and the place Félix has been contributing to the schooling and safety of kids since 2020 by his #FAAPOINTSFORCHANGE program.
In partnership with BNP Paribas, the World No.6 donates $5 for each level he wins, which the French banking group matches with $15. As a result of Félix performs so many matches each season, the {dollars} have been pouring in. Since January 3, 2020, he’s racked up 16,486 factors for a complete of $325,000 donated.
As talked about on BNP Paribas’ website, all the cash raised goes to the EduChange program arrange by humanitarian company CARE.
Travelling to Togo to see the change his marketing campaign has caused is commendable. Particularly since he hopped on a flight on the heels of Canada’s euphoric Davis Cup triumph along with his dad, sister Malika and love Nina Ghaibi in tow.
It was the very first time Félix witnessed the impacts throughout Togo firsthand. He visited the tennis membership the place Sam discovered to play, toured a number of villages and was even invited to educate a children’ soccer match.
He additionally received hands-on by studying about a number of the on a regular basis duties of the Togolese.
“It was good to see these issues in particular person—even when I’d learn the report beforehand—and see the affect the mission’s had with my very own eyes,” Auger-Aliassime stated in an interview with Katherine Harvey-Pinard of Montréal’s La Presse newspaper.
“We’re conscious of those realities, however I feel they hit otherwise while you see them in particular person. Seeing that, regardless of every little thing, they’ve a smile on their face. All the youngsters I noticed had been blissful.”
Certainly, there have been smiles throughout due to his mere presence and participation within the many actions organized for him, together with this traditional Togolese dance that made him the centre of attention.
After only a few brief weeks of downtime, Félix shall be again on the courts to coach for the primary main of the season in Melbourne. However earlier than that, from December 19 to 24, he’ll be competing within the inaugural version of the World Tennis League exhibition event in Dubai.
Will his luck maintain and maintain him harm free so he can play over 87 matches like he did this previous season? Or will he skip a couple of tournaments so he doesn’t put on himself out as he faces the stress of getting to defend all of the rating factors he collected in 2022?
Félix isn’t afraid of stress. He’s even acquired a style for it: “I like what Billie Jean King stated, that stress is a privilege. I’d relatively be within the place I’m in now, the place individuals have expectations…Even I anticipate to do nice issues on the subsequent event.”
And in life, for the individuals of Togo.
“It isn’t all the time straightforward, and I’ve to push myself, however there are children who stroll three hours each day simply to get to highschool. So, I inform myself: ‘Come on. You may make an effort and provides it your finest shot as a result of what you do right here has an affect on these children.’”
That’s paying homage to an identical initiative by a tennis nice with whom Félix occurs to share a birthday on August 8.
Along with their respective success on and off the courts as champions and gents, the work Félix does for others brings him that a lot nearer to the Swiss hero.
The World Tennis League
Combined tennis is extra common than ever.
As soon as largely restricted to the Slams and Australia’s season-opening Hopman Cup (1989–2019), it’s at the moment increasing to not one however two occasions to kick off 2023.
Just a few weeks again, this blog featured a narrative on the brand new United Cup, with WTA stars competing in singles and doubles.
The week earlier than the United Cup, lots of them shall be in Dubai as a part of the brand new World Tennis League, which runs from December 19 to 24.
Three Canadians are within the combine: Bianca Andreescu, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Eugenie Bouchard!
Within the very first version of the worldwide tennis occasion, 18 gamers are divided into 4 groups: Falcons, Hawks, Eagles and Kites. Figuring out how culturally vital falconry and birds of prey are within the UAE, the selection of workforce names comes as no shock.
Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Iga Swiatek, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem are among the many headliners.
Félix and Eugenie will play for the Kites, whereas Bianca joins the Hawks.
The complete schedule is accessible here.
Within the opening rounds, Félix will tackle Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic in singles. He’ll additionally workforce up with Bouchard in doubles. Bianca will play twice with Rohan Bopanna and as soon as with Andreas Seppi.
Now that you understand what the event includes, it’s possible you’ll be questioning why there are such a lot of new occasions regardless that the WTA and ATP calendars are full and already embody Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup?
There’s a single purpose.
Really, there’s a double purpose: enjoyable and cash.
It’s enjoyable first, as a result of that’s a precedence for gamers and particularly the members of the High 10s, who get small fortunes thrown at them to spice up the rosters.
Of their quest for treasured factors and prestigious titles, they’re underneath super stress all season lengthy. The World Tennis League, the United Cup and Laver Cup are occasions at which the gravity lets up and camaraderie supersedes the relentless rivalries and competitors. So, it’s comprehensible they’d wish to be there.
And with the six- and seven-figure sums official and unofficial competitions provide the most effective of the most effective, it’s additionally comprehensible they’d need their preseason refresher be an exhibition relatively than a event at which one dangerous match results in rapid elimination.
It’s mixing pleasure and enterprise.
And vice versa.
Nick Bollettieri: Kingmaker
Venus and Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, Boris Becker, Martina Hingis, Marcelo Rios and Jelena Jankovic.
Former No.1s whose careers had been formed by the late Nick Bollettieri.
The tennis coach handed away on December 4, on the age of 91, after an extended battle with sickness.
Although he by no means performed professionally, Bollettieri known as himself the Michelangelo of tennis. The academy he based in Bradenton, Florida, opened its doorways to so many future champions, a dozen of which rose to the very prime of the rankings. He ran it for 9 years, from 1978 to 1987, earlier than promoting it to IMG.
When the information of Bollettieri’s loss of life emerged, messages poured in. Right here’s a submit by considered one of his first college students, former No.2 Tommy Haas. It’s as amusing as it’s transferring.
“So many reminiscences, I’m unsure the place to start. Nickiiiii, that’s how I’ve known as you for the longest time. Thanks in your time, information, dedication, experience, the willingness to share your talent, your private curiosity in mentoring me, and giving me the most effective alternative to observe my desires. You had been a dreamer and a doer, and a pioneer in our sport, really considered one of a form. I absolutely will miss you across the academy, our Tennis talks, miss displaying of your tan, white enamel and physique fats, miss watching you do Tai Chi, miss enjoying Golf with you watching you attempt to cheat, consuming a Snickers bar and working for the bushes, and listening to all about your plans even on the age of 91. Thanks once more for every little thing…….. RIP Nickiiiii”
Haas’ tribute is simply one of many many shared by a number of the largest names in tennis. The ATP has even compiled them on a dedicated webpage.
In 2014, Nick Bollettieri turned solely the fourth coach to be inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. The identical 12 months one more considered one of his protégés, Kei Nishikori, reached the US Open ultimate.
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