Félix Auger-Aliassime will compete as the second seed at the 2026 National Bank Open in Montreal, aiming for his first ATP Masters 1000 title.
The tournament starts with qualifying on Saturday, followed by 12 days of main draw action at IGA Stadium.
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Ranked world No. 4, Auger-Aliassime is a favorite as top players Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic are absent due to injuries or withdrawals.
Hometown Advantage
Auger-Aliassime grew up near the venue and has long dreamed of winning in Montreal.
He recently reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals and parted ways with longtime coach Frédéric Fontang.
Currently, he is working with his father for guidance while seeking a new coach after the US Open.
“I feel that I’m playing well,” Auger-Aliassime said Thursday.
“I feel like I have good chances to play a good tournament, but everything starts from the first day and you have to be on your toes.”
He expressed disappointment over the absence of top players, recalling childhood memories of watching Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic at the event.
“I’ve loved this tournament, especially being from here, since I’m a kid,” he said.
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“I’ve come here to watch the best players — Roger, Novak, Rafa, they’ve all played here. I would rather have all the best players and beat all the players.”
Auger-Aliassime described ongoing discussions with the ATP about ensuring tournaments attract top players consistently.
He proposed ideas like limiting players from skipping the same tournament two years in a row.
Other contenders include top seed Alexander Zverev, defending champion Ben Shelton, and notable players such as Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz.
Montreal has a history of producing first-time Masters 1000 winners, with the past four editions crowning new champions.
Auger-Aliassime watched last year’s women’s champion Victoria Mboko win in Montreal.
“I was glued to my screen,” he said.
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“I could feel the emotions the crowd experienced here … of course I hope to do what she did last year.”
