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Felix Auger-Aliassime recently sent an encouraging message to Denis Shapovalov after the latter expressed his pride about his performances in 2024 and also looked forward to the new tennis season. Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov, both Canadians, aren't only compatriots, but also close friends.
Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov have been teammates on multiple occasions when representing Canada at international team tennis events. The two played starring roles in Canada's title triumphs at the 2022 Davis Cup Finals and 2022 ATP Cup. They were also members of Team World at the 2021 Laver Cup.
Recently, Denis Shapovalov took to Instagram to proudly look back on his 2024 season. The Canadian, a former World No. 10, endured a difficult 2023 because of a knee injury that ultimately forced him to cut his season short following his fourth-round loss at the Wimbledon Championships.
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However, he slowly worked his way back to form and fitness this year, and won his second ATP Tour-level title at the 2024 Belgrade Open. After winning the final in the capital of Serbia, Shapovalov was presented the trophy by 24-time Major winner and former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
"I’m super proud of how hard I worked this year. Coming back from an injury is never easy and I had to be really patient with my body and the results… but ending on a high note meant a lot!! Thank you to the fans around the world for your support every week and to all the Canadians for always cheering me on… I’m always proud to represent you on court!" Shapovalov wrote.
Having finished the 2024 season as the World No. 56, Shapovalov also expressed optimism over his chances in 2025, hoping to start the new season as well as he ended the previous one.
"I’m already working really hard in my 2025 preseason training with my team so I can’t wait to see you all on court again in the new year to pick up where we left off," Shapovalov added.
Felix Auger-Aliassime took notice of his compatriot's post and encouragingly commented:
"A whole lotta sticks in 2025"
In 2021, Felix Auger-Aliassime had opened up about his thoughts on Denis Shapovalov's game.
Felix Auger-Aliassime spoke highly of Denis Shapovalov in 2021
Felix Auger-Aliassime is 24 right now, while Denis Shapovalov is 25. Hailing from the same generation of Canadian tennis players, the two have known each other and their respective games for a long time. In an official 2021 Davis Cup Finals interview, Auger-Aliassime laid bare his appreciation for Shapovalov's style of play.
"Denis is such a complete player, he doesn’t really have any weaknesses. He has a great serve, explosive game. He’s so aggressive and so confident in what he does. I would describe him really as cold-blooded. Whenever he steps on the court, he’s a killer. He’s not scared of anybody, I think even in the finals, playing against Rafa, in front of 12,000 people he proved that he wasn’t scared of that challenge," Felix Auger-Aliassime said.
The match against the legendary Rafael Nadal, that Auger-Aliassime referred to, took place in the 2019 Davis Cup Finals. Shapovalov would ultimately lose the match to the Spaniard, who won eight out of his eight matches at the tournament to make Spain the champions over Canada in the final.
