Auger-Aliassime’s Leg Injury Halts Australian Open Run
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s powerful start crumbles under physical strain in Melbourne, paving Nuno Borges’ path forward in a match that exposed tennis’s cruel unpredictability.
On Melbourne Park’s outer courts, where the hard courts demand explosive bursts and quick recoveries, Felix Auger-Aliassime stepped out with eyes on a strong 2026 major season. The seventh seed, riding the high of last year’s US Open semifinals, unleashed his flat forehands and booming serve to claim the first set 6-3 against Nuno Borges. But as the afternoon heat intensified, an upper left leg issue began to shadow his every slide, turning a routine opener into a tense battle of wills.
Borges, the 28-year-old from Portugal, absorbed the early pressure with steady returns, mixing crosscourt backhands to pull Auger-Aliassime wide and disrupt his rhythm. The Canadian fought back through medical timeouts in the third set, his movement growing labored on the turns for down-the-line passes. By the fourth set, after just two points with Borges leading 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, Auger-Aliassime retired, the crowd falling silent as trainers rushed the court.
“I feel for him,” Borges said of Auger-Aliassime. “I know how he feels to struggle physically and it is part of tennis. I hope he gets better quickly and back to his best level.
“It’s a great win for me either way. I thought I competed well. Maybe if he was 100 per cent, it would’ve been a different score, but I’m really happy to push through this one and get another opportunity on Wednesday.”
Pressure mounts on fragile foundations
At 25, Auger-Aliassime carried the weight of expectations into this Australian Open, his aggressive baseline game—built on heavy topspin forehands and a 1–2 punch—suited to the medium-paced surface but taxing on the body. The injury echoed past setbacks, forcing him to tape up and push through points that once flowed effortlessly, his inside-out winners now laced with grim determination. As the third set slipped away 6-4, the psychological toll mounted, whispers rippling through the stands about the Canadian’s visible limp.
Borges adapted seamlessly, using slice backhands to keep balls low and force uncomfortable stretches, capitalizing on the shift without overplaying his hand. His resilience, forged in a 2024 fourth-round run here, allowed him to stay composed amid the uncertainty, turning defense into opportunistic breaks. The match’s pivot came not from brilliance but from endurance, a reminder that majors often reward those who outlast the storm.
Borges claims hard-earned advancement
With the win, Borges advances to face Juan Manuel Cerundolo or Aussie wild card Jordan Thompson, a matchup that could extend his stay in Melbourne. Last year, he reached the third round before Carlos Alcaraz outpowered him in four sets, a clash that sharpened his tactics against elite speed. On these courts, where bounce aids his one-handed backhand, Borges eyes a deeper run, his steady aggression now unburdened by the seeded opponent’s full force.
Auger-Aliassime’s early exit reshapes the draw’s early chaos, handing Borges momentum at a tournament known for its physical grind. As recovery looms for the Canadian, the Portuguese player steps into the second round with quiet confidence, ready to test his adjustments against fresh challenges. Melbourne’s summer stage unfolds with such twists, where one moment’s pain opens doors for another’s rise.
