Auger-Aliassime’s back tweak halts Basel run
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s quarterfinal in Basel ends prematurely with a retirement, amplifying the pressure on his bid to return to the Nitto ATP Finals after a season of strong showings.
In the echoing St. Jakobshalle, Felix Auger-Aliassime‘s match against Jaume Munar dissolved into a somber concession, the Canadian trailing 3-6 in the first set before retiring after 45 minutes at the Swiss Indoors Basel. A lower back issue, evident as he stretched repeatedly during the opener, forced him to the net, ending what promised to be a tactical duel on the indoor hard courts. This ATP 500 exit casts a long shadow over his momentum, blending physical strain with the psychological weight of a late-season push.
Back strain echoes season’s demands
Auger-Aliassime arrived in Basel fresh from lifting the Brussels trophy, a win that vaulted him to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin for the Nitto ATP Finals. The 25-year-old, who married Nina Ghaibi last month, now trails eighth-placed Lorenzo Musetti by 340 points, with the Italian facing Corentin Moutet in Vienna’s quarterfinals later on Friday. His 43-21 record this year reflects a blend of power and resilience, yet the back tweak disrupted his rhythm, limiting the inside-out forehands and one–two patterns that define his indoor game.
Munar, drawing on his baseline steadiness, absorbed the Canadian’s serve and redirected crosscourt with controlled topspin, extending rallies on the slick surface. Auger-Aliassime‘s attempts at down-the-line backhands faltered as mobility waned, turning a matchup suited to his aggressive style into a test of endurance. The crowd’s murmurs thickened the air, a mix of sympathy and anticipation for how this setback might reshape his path.
Turin qualification hangs in balance
Eying a second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals since 2022, Auger-Aliassime must now recalibrate ahead of the Paris Masters next week. The indoor hard courts there favor his penetrating groundstrokes and slice serves, but recovery from the back issue will dictate his ability to close the gap on Musetti. Basel’s quick pace, which amplifies big servers, exposed vulnerabilities that Paris could either heal or highlight, depending on his preparation.
Throughout the season, he has navigated surfaces with tactical underspin adjustments and net approaches, but injuries like this one underscore the fine line between dominance and doubt. The supportive applause as he departed offered a quiet lift, fueling the resolve needed for the final sprint. With points at a premium, his rebound in Paris will shape not just qualification, but the arc of a career marked by perseverance.
