Felix Auger-Aliassime Devastated After Roland Garros Exit: “I’m Destroyed”

Felix Auger-Aliassime struggled to accept that he is no longer a part of the Roland Garros draw. On Wednesday (June 3), the Canadian ace, in his career’s first Roland Garros quarterfinal, suffered a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of Flavio Cobolli.

Before this season, Auger-Aliassime played in the fourth round of the French Open twice (in 2022 and 2024). He arrived in Paris with a 4-4 win-loss record, with his best result being a quarterfinals appearance at the Monte-Carlo Masters (lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner).

Yeah, on one end, in a bigger perspective, I can’t complain with my life. But I’m in a place right now with my tennis career that…it’s tough. I’m destroyed today a little bit. It’s tough. I usually handle losses pretty well. My whole career, I was going back to training with optimism and positivity. Right now I feel like I’m not the player I want to be. Today’s a difficult day.

Felix Auger-Aliassime said at the press conference

En route to the quarterfinals, the 25-year-old eliminated Daniel Altmaier, Roman Andres Burruchaga, Brandon Nakashima and Alejandro Tabilo. He was hoping to reach his career’s third Grand Slam semifinals after the 2021 and 2025 US Open.

As years go by, I think I’m growing more and more impatient. Now you know me better. I’m 26 this year, and I’m not improving the way that I wish, so that’s why I’m not feeling great today.

Felix Auger-Aliassime added

Auger-Aliassime was the highest-seeded player in the top half after the exit of last year’s runner-up Sinner in the second round (lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo). With the exit of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz‘s withdrawal due to injury, Auger-Aliassime was hoping to taste success for the first time on the biggest stages of tennis.

Flavio Cobolli reacts after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime

During the match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli went to the toilet to think a bit and told himself, “This is the chance of my life“. At the press conference, he was asked if he was thinking he had the chance to win his career’s first Grand Slam title.

No, just play that match. I mean, it’s not usual to play the quarterfinal in Grand Slam. So, I just said to myself, to let’s fight, you’re here, you deserve it. And let’s try. That’s what I said. […] I just want to think about the next one, but I know that I’m close, you know. Only two matches, but it’s long way.

Cobolli, who has improved his head-to-head record over Auger-Aliassime to 3-0, will next be locking horns with compatriot Matteo Arnaldi in the semifinals. Arnaldi received the walkover from fellow Italian and former World No.6 Matteo Berrettini in the previous round.

Cobolli will be playing in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in his career. Before this tournament, he had made the quarterfinals of a Major just once (at the 2025 Wimbledon). If Cobolli beats Arnaldi and reaches the final, he will be locking horns with Alexander Zverev or Jakub Mensik, respectively.

Cobolli holds a 1-1 head-to-head record over Arnaldi, with the former winning their last meeting in the second round of last year’s French Open. This will be the third time they will be playing on clay.

Cobolli has so far clinched two titles on clay (last year’s Romanian Open and Hamburg European Open). This year, he has played two finals: he won the Mexican Open by defeating Frances Tiafoe and lost the Munich Open to Ben Shelton. Before arriving in Paris, he suffered an opening-round exit in the first round of the Hamburg Open.

Also read: Joao Fonseca Explains How Roland Match Versus Jakub Mensik Was Different Compared to Ones He Played Against Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud