Interview with Félix Auger-Aliassime’s father | “It’s all about education”

Sam Aliassime gave birth to one of the best players of his generation and perhaps in Canadian history. His mission, however, is far from over.

Nicholas Richard
The Press

Félix Auger-Aliassime’s father had only one son. On the other hand, a few years ago, he took under his wing a young player whom he considers today as his other son, in a way. This boy has just won his first professional title.

Gabriel Diallo became the first Quebecer to win the National Bank Championships, a Challenger tournament played in Granby. Players like Vasek Pospisil and Frances Tiafoe have won this tournament before.

The Montrealer has just turned 20 and is already turning heads. People take notice of him not just because he’s 6’7″, but mostly because of his contagious energy and the fun he has on the court.

If Diallo knows such a rise, it is largely thanks to the support of Sam Aliassime. The latter noticed it in a tournament, when he was 9 or 10 years old. At 14, Aliassime became interested in him since the provincial and national federations had kind of given up on him, for lack of results. He therefore took him with him to the school he runs in Quebec, the Académie Aliassime, to train him.

Aliassime even opened the doors of his house to the young Diallo, who lived with his trainer for three years. According to him and the Diallo family, it was the best way to succeed.

“It’s all about education. You have to be patient, do things well and not skip the steps, ”said Aliassime, based in New York to see his son compete in the United States Open.

Diallo is currently 335^e in the world and plays in the NCAA at the University of Kentucky. This represents the normal course of a developing athlete. Even if Diallo is inspired by the success of Félix Auger-Aliassime, the latter’s father must make him understand that it is essential to follow his own path.

“You have to understand the reality of each person. There are exceptions. I think that in life, you have to go about it with consistency, but you still have to have a minimum of talent and a will to succeed. »

Two things with which Diallo is endowed. Sam Aliassime believes that his foal has the same qualities as his son and that it is with these that he can hope to make his place on the ATP circuit. “He is very calm. He has a head on his shoulders. And he has a very good entourage. »

A Father’s Pride

If Gabriel Diallo had a dream week in the Eastern Townships, Félix Auger-Aliassime, south of the border, will try to get his hands on a first major tournament title.

Last year in New York, he reached the semi-final. With a title in his pocket, he entered Flushing Meadows as the eighth player in the world ranking, a career high.

His son shines and it is the fact that he has remained himself that makes him the most proud. Fame and victories have not changed him, and Sam Aliassime is happy to see that his offspring has managed to remain humble. “Felix is ​​the same boy as when he was 14 years old. Every year, I see him keep these values ​​and it warms my heart, ”said the father.

Aliassime made Félix understand something that he passes on to all his players today. “At 35-40, players end their careers. There will still be about fifty years of life left. You have to be a good human. If everything is based on your success and your results, you are worthless. »

Aliassime attaches much more importance to human qualities than to athletic qualities when he trains young people. “You can’t be a very good tennis player if you’re not very good in everyday life. Without speaking of perfection, he thinks that it is necessary to apply in all the spheres of the life, whether it is a question of making his bed, of arranging his things or of helping his parents.

Fiston understood the message quickly and that is why he is a model of generosity and benevolence. “He shares a lot, he helps the young people at the Academy and he is even ready to lend me his house in France for our young people who have tournaments in Europe,” said Aliassime.

A duty of transmission

Sam Aliassime did not become the owner of his tennis school in 2018 to have fun. It was rather to properly supervise young players who dream big.

When arriving at the Academy facilities, there are signs on which are inscribed values ​​that young people must categorically respect if they want to make their place: respect, combativeness and pleasure. The Academy is based on these three words and it is by explaining their importance that Sam Aliassime has become one of the most prominent coaches in Canada.

“It starts with respect. Appreciate the time we give, appreciate the coaches, respect what we receive. Commitment, because I think you shouldn’t do things by halves. When you start something, you have to do it very well. If we decide to become a pastry chef, we will become a very good pastry chef. At the Academy, our values ​​are based on that. »

Without forgetting the pleasure, which above all must dominate. “The path is long, life is beautiful, you have to have fun. Pleasure fuels passion in this project. »

Moreover, when Aliassime speaks of the career of his son or that of Gabriel Diallo, he never uses the word “career”. He uses the word “project”. Rather than train young people in a profession that could bring them fame and fortune, Sam Aliassime prefers to train human beings. A project that involves much more than results and trophies.