Felix Auger-Aliassime suffered a setback at the Rotterdam Open after he was forced to retire from his first round match.
Auger-Aliassime had beaten Aleksandar Kovacevic in the Montpellier final to continue his positive start to the 2025 season.
This had followed on from the Canadian’s title in Adelaide, with Auger-Aliassime joining Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after lifting his seventh ATP trophy.
Many had expected this to continue on the indoor hard courts at the Rotterdam Open, where Auger-Aliassime is a former champion.
Auger-Aliassime was up against world number 317 qualifier Andrea Vavassori in his first round match in Rotterdam, with the winner to play four-time major champion Alcaraz.
However, after losing the first set Auger-Aliassime elected to retire in a decision that the commentator claims came ‘out of nowhere’.
Midway through the second set, Auger-Aliassime appeared to pull up during a point and subsequently called for a trainer.
After Vavassori levelled things up at a set apiece, Auger-Aliassime shook hands with the Italian and confirmed that he could no longer continue.
Fans of Auger-Aliassime were understandably concerned about this potential injury, and now the world number 23 has provided an update on social media.
“Hey guys,” Auger-Aliassime said on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Unfortunately, I had to withdraw from my match here in Rotterdam today due to a problem with my right toe that came up during yesterday’s practice.
“I wish it could have felt better for the match; however, I’ll have it taken care of this week. I’m sad to leave a tournament that I love early, but I hope to be fresh and ready to go for Doha coming up.”
With Auger-Aliassime’s recent update, it appears that he is still planning to play tournaments in the Middle East beginning in Doha.
The Qatar Open includes Novak Djokovic this year, as six of the top 10 ranked ATP players have entered the newly upgraded tournament.
Auger-Aliassime reached the semi-finals in the Qatari capital two years ago, and is also entered to play in Dubai where he has been less successful in his one previous appearance.
The sunshine double of Indian Wells and the Miami Open will follow for the first two Masters 1000 tournaments of 2025.
Upcoming Tournament | Auger-Aliassime’s Best Result |
Qatar Open | Semi-final (2023) |
Dubai Tennis Championships | Second Round (2023) |
Indian Wells | Quarter-Final (2023) |
Miami Open | Semi-final (2019) |
First, Auger-Aliassime will look to recover in time for the Qatar Open that begins on Monday February 17.
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