Felix Auger-Aliassime lost to Karen Khachanov, 7-6, 3-6, 2-6, 2-6 in the second round of the US Open.
The 26-year-old reached the semi-finals in New York a year ago, but couldn’t repeat those heroics in 2026.
During his post-match press conference, Auger-Aliassime said he felt ‘dizzy and was seeing spots’ in his four-set defeat to Khachanov.
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He has now issued another update on social media.
Felix Auger-Aliassime plans to be ‘better prepared’ moving forward
Auger-Aliassime posted the following message on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, I felt far from my best midway through yesterday’s match, which made it difficult to compete in a way I know I can,” he said.
“I love going out there and competing, so for now, I’m going to take the time to work on stronger preventative measures and make sure I’m better prepared moving forward.”
Auger-Aliassime led Khachanov by a set to love before losing in four.
The Canadian will be keen to improve his fitness over the coming months, but that’s not all he must do.
After losing to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, Auger-Aliassime split with his long-term coach, Frederic Fontang.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s 2026 Grand Slam record (9-4)
| Grand Slam | Performance | Wins | Defeat |
| Australian Open | First round | – | Nuno Borges |
| French Open | Quarter-final | 4 (Daniel Altmaier, Roman Andres Burruchaga, Brandon Nakashima, Alejandro Tabilo) | Flavio Cobolli |
| Wimbledon | Quarter-final | 4 (Alexander Shevchenko, Dino Prizmic, Michael Zheng, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina) | Novak Djokovic |
| US Open | Second round | 1 (Rinky Hijikata) | Karen Khachanov |
Auger-Aliassime has yet to replace Fontang, and if he is to challenge for the biggest titles in tennis, he’ll need to hire an elite coach sooner rather than later.
It’s easy to look at the rankings and think all is well with the 26-year-old, but that’s not entirely true.
Live ATP Rankings
- 1. Jannik Sinner – 11,500 points
- 2. Alexander Zverev – 7,790 points
- 3. Carlos Alcaraz – 5,360 points
- 4. Felix Auger-Aliassime – 3,890 points
- 5. Daniil Medvedev – 3,770 points
- 6. Flavio Cobolli – 3,720 points
- 7. Ben Shelton – 3,580 points
- 8. Alex de Minaur – 3,300 points
- 9. Taylor Fritz – 3,175 points
- 10. Arthur Fils – 3,150 points
Auger-Aliassime sits fourth in the ‘Live ATP Rankings’, although his placement in the ‘Live ATP Race’ gives greater insight into his performances this year.
Live ATP Race
- 1. Jannik Sinner – 7,950 points
- 2. Alexander Zverev – 6,750 points
- 3. Carlos Alcaraz – 3,850 points
- 4. Flavio Cobolli – 3,530 points
- 5. Ben Shelton – 3,320 points
- 6. Arthur Fils – 3,150 points
- 7. Daniil Medvedev – 2,780 points
- 8. Frances Tiafoe – 2,730 points
- 9. Rafael Jodar – 2,509 points
- 10. Taylor Fritz – 2,480 points
- 11. Tommy Paul – 2,375 points
- 12. Felix Auger-Aliassime – 2,365 points
Auger-Aliassime has accumulated fewer points than 11 players this season, and as things stand, he won’t qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin.
He performed excellently on indoor hard courts a year ago, and will defend a large chunk of his points post-US Open.
So, it’s not as good as it looks for Auger-Aliassime…
How many more points will Felix Auger-Aliassime defend this year?
Auger-Aliassime’s late-season form last year has left him with some serious work to do over the next few months.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s results post-2025 US Open
| Tournament | Performance | Points |
| Shanghai Masters | Quarter-final | 200 |
| European Open | Champion | 250 |
| Swiss Indoors | Quarter-final | 100 |
| Paris Masters | Final | 650 |
| ATP Finals | Semi-final | 400 |
| Total | – | 1,600 |
He will attempt to defend over 1,500 points before the end of the year.
Failing to do so, the Canadian will likely drop out of the world’s top 10.
The good news for Auger-Aliassime is that his 2025 results weren’t a fluke.
Over several years, he has proven himself as one of the best indoor hard-court players in men’s tennis.
He may not be in the form he was a year ago, but you wouldn’t bet against him winning a title or two later this season.
If he can rediscover the form he’s shown throughout his career on his favourite surface, it may not be long before Auger-Aliassime returns to the winner’s circle.
The nine-time ATP Tour champion will surely have his sights set on title number 10.
Auger-Aliassime is scheduled to return to tennis at the China Open, which begins on Tuesday, September 28.
