"It's fun to see him play, it's not monotonous" - Felix Auger-Aliassime's coach on what sets Carlos Alcaraz apart from Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic

Felix Auger-Aliassime's coach Frederic Fontang recently gave his verdict on what sets Carlos Alcaraz apart from Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime will meet in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in 2023. If the Spaniard is to keep his hopes of winning the Masters 1000 title alive, he must defeat the Canadian for the first time in four attempts.

Before the two youngsters' clash at Indian Wells, Felix Auger-Aliassime's coach Frederic Fontang spoke to L'Equipe about Alcaraz, remarking that the Spaniard is a Grand Slam winner and once held the World No. 1 ranking for specific reasons. He pointed to his aggressive gameplay and the way he likes to go forward after every shot -- a style Fontang, personally, was a big fan of.

"He was once the world's number one player, he is already a Grand Slam winner... Why? Because he has the physique, the mentality that goes with it, the shots. He's aggressive in his game without asking too many questions, he's able to defend, he has variety in his game, he can go forward, he knows how to bunt," Fontang said.

"He has everything. He's very opportunistic in his game. After every shot, he's ready to go forward, if necessary, with a volley. You can tell with every shot that he wants to go forward. I like that," he added.

Fontang then discussed what sets Carlos Alcaraz apart from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, saying that while Nadal hits hard from the baseline and Djokovic stays poised, Alcaraz has variety which makes it "fun" to watch him play.

"You have Nadal hitting hard from the baseline, Djokovic being poised, and him being on the lookout all the time, ready to move forward. He's demonstrative for the audience. He's "physical". He has variety, it's fun to see him play. It's not monotonous," he said.

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"The favorable face-off for Felix, it plays for the psychological aspect" - Frederic Fontang on Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime's upcoming clash

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Carlos Alcaraz pictured at a tournament

Frederic Fontang then commented on Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime's upcoming quarterfinal clash at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. While he admitted that it would be a psychological advantage for Auger-Aliassime as he has won the duo's previous three meetings, he reckoned the courts in Indian Wells being slow may favor the young Spaniard.

"The favorable face-off for Felix (3-0), it plays for the psychological aspect that comes into play. The last two times, it was in indoor, a surface that favors Felix with his serve, while it is not yet the main weapon of Alcaraz. But here, the conditions are slow, it's difficult to make points with the service," Fontang said.

At the same time, he believed his protege would give everything he has in him to emerge victorious and reach the final four for the first time at Indian Wells in his career.

"Felix will play his game. The good thing about him compared to Alcaraz's game is that he is able to hold some rallies on defense. To make him miss, you have to be able to defend well on three shots. And you have to be able to attack him before he does. Felix has that in his game. Overall, you have to take the initiative and be able to make plays when it hits hard," he said.

The winner of this match will face the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.