Story byPhoto by Graham Denholm/Getty ImagesMatthew JohnsTue, January 20, 2026 at 2:46 PM UTC·3 min readFelix Auger-Aliassime’s first-round match at the Australian Open didn’t go as planned, with the Canadian unable to see it through to the end. Auger-Aliassime had an impressive 2025 season that saw him pick up three titles and reach the semi-finals of the US Open. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat run helped him climb to a career-high world No. 5 ranking, raising expectations for what he might achieve in 2026. He seemed well-prepared after training with Jannik Sinner in Melbourne ahead of his opening match, but things did not play out as he had hoped once competition began. Felix Auger-Aliassime gives injury update after Australian Open withdrawalPhoto by Daniel Pockett/Getty ImagesAuger-Aliassime looked to be in control early, taking the opening set 6-3. But after dropping the next two, he spoke with the physio and decided to retire from the match, allowing Borges to advance. That made Auger-Aliassime the highest-seeded player to exit so far this year. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe addressed what happened during his press conference, saying: “I’m okay, but I just started cramping at the start of the third set.
