There’s no question that tennis is a merciless sport. Players can be friends one day and rivals the next. The 2019 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank provides a very eloquent example of this.
Monday, in their doubles match against Jérémy Chardy and Fabrice Martin of France, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Vasek Pospisil will be best of friends. Tuesday afternoon, they’ll go head-to-head in a fratricidal fight: a transition they’ll manage like the consummate professionals they are.
Their doubles contest won’t be an easy one. Their opponents have won two titles (Estoril and Marseille) this season and another in 2017 (Dubai). Still, for the Canadians, the showdown will only add to their week in Montréal.
In doubles, Auger-Aliassime and Pospisil are far from novices. Before focusing on singles to turn pro, Félix teamed up with Denis Shapovalov on the junior circuit. Together, they were absolutely brilliant, raising the junior doubles crown at the US Open and reaching the Wimbledon junior doubles final.
Pospisil has conquered six doubles championships, appeared in seven other finals and rose to a career high ranking of World No.4. The Quebecer, who turns 19 on Thursday, and the 29-year-old British Columbian need the crowd behind them Monday, Tuesday and the rest of the week, so cheer as long and as loud as you can!
(Feature photo : Mauricio Paiz)
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