What does Canadian tennis have in common with the Habs, CF Montréal and, until very recently, the World Series, the NFL, the Alouettes and the Raptors during the busiest time of the year in broadcast sports?
You’re gonna need another screen for tennis, too.
Huge congrats to Félix Auger-Aliassime for his hat trick last month.
Taking home three titles after losing the first nine finals of his career is unbelievable! There doesn’t seem to be a limit to what he can do, and he’s only 22.
His win in Basel and Denis Shapovalov’s final in Vienna have brought acclaim to Tennis Canada, as well.
Is it really that rare to have two players from the same country competing in separate ATP 500 finals at the same time?
I shot none other than Greg Sharko, director of media relations and information at the ATP, an email to find out. His reply: yes, it is.
“In 2018, Borna Coric and Marin Cilic (Croatia) won the finals in Halle and Queens,” he added.
“It’s promising for Davis Cup,” acknowledged Eugene Lapierre, noting that Félix recently dismantled World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz twice in a month.
| In the same period | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Sets won-lost | 26-3 | n/a | n/a |
| Aces | 145 (avg. 11,2) | 818 (11,1) | 560 (9,0) |
| Service games won | 96 % (131 of 136) | 86 % | 84 % |
| 1st serve | 67 % | 64 % | 63 % |
| 1st serve points won | 83 % | 77 % | 77 % |
| 2nd serve points won | 60 % | 51 % | 50 % |
| Break points saved | 75 % (15 of 20) | 66 % | 59 % |
Plans for the future
It may not be tennis of the same caliber, but last week’s ITF tournament at the Complexe tennis Saint-Augustin indoor club was historic nonetheless, since it was the first international men’s event in the city of Québec in about five decades.
The last event was the Québec WCT in October 1973.
“Laver, Rosewall, Ashe, Borg … All the top players were there,” recalled Réjean Genois.
He and Richard Legendre were given spots in the main draw.
Réjean lost to Onny Parun of New Zealand and Richard to John Lloyd of Great Britain.
Genois and Legendre also teamed up in doubles. They were defeated by Jimmy Connors and Marty Riessen.
“Connors won that year,” said Réjean, who was a 20-year-old student at Florida State back then.
But let’s get back to the present, since it seems Québec won’t have to wait another half-century for more men’s tennis.
The club in Saint-Augustin has six courts under two domes. It’s owned by Stéphanie Dubois’ former coach Pierre-Luc Tessier, who already has plans for the future. He’s got his sights on the ATP and, more specifically, a Challenger event.
To be continued.
Maybe Davis Cup?
Among the competitions that could bring elite men’s tennis back to Québec is Canada’s participation in Davis Cup.
It’s been talked about. Considering the fact that Félix was raised at Club Avantage by his dad Sam, the Videotron Centre may not be big enough.
Calgary, then Drummondville
Speaking of the Challenger tournaments, they’ll be making stops in Canada over the next two weeks.
After the Calgary National Bank Challenger that starts on Monday, stay tuned for the Drummondville National Bank Challenger from November 14 to 20.
No.222 Alexis Galarneau and No.248 Gabriel Diallo are in the main draw. And so is No.121 Vasek Pospisil.
The week after, the three are off to Spain, where they’ll meet up with Félix and Denis at Davis Cup.
