The 2026 Australian Open campaign for Canadian tennis suffered a significant and early blow as Montreal's top-ranked player, Félix Auger-Aliassime, was forced to retire from his first-round match due to a leg injury on Monday, January 19.
A Promising Start Cut Short
The seventh seed, who had surged into the world's top five with a strong finish to the previous season, began his match against Portugal's Nuno Borges in commanding fashion. The 25-year-old from Montreal secured the first set 6-3, displaying the form that made him a favourite.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. It became evident that Auger-Aliassime was grappling with his movement on court. His compromised physical state led to losses in the next two sets, 4-6, 4-6, putting him on the brink of elimination.
The Injury Takes Its Toll
The situation reached a critical point late in the third set, where Auger-Aliassime required a medical timeout. He received further treatment before the start of the fourth set, but his participation was short-lived. After contesting just two more points, the Canadian star walked to the net to concede the match, his tournament over before it truly began.
His opponent, Borges, who reached the fourth round in Melbourne last year, expressed sympathy in his post-match remarks. "I feel for him," said the 28-year-old Portuguese player. "I know how it feels to struggle physically, and it is part of tennis. I hope he gets better quickly and back to his best level." Borges acknowledged the circumstances of his victory but was pleased to advance, where he will face either Juan Manuel Cerúndolo or Australian Jordan Thompson.
Mixed Results for Canadian Contingent
Auger-Aliassime's exit compounded a difficult opening round for Canadian men's singles players from Montreal. Gabriel Diallo was also eliminated in his first match, further depleting the nation's representation.
On a brighter note, a new generation provided a spark for Canada. Teenage sensation Victoria Mboko, who captivated home crowds as a wildcard at last summer's Canadian Open in Montreal, successfully navigated her first-round hurdle. She defeated Australia's Emerson Jones in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, to keep her Australian Open journey alive.
The abrupt end for Auger-Aliassime marks a stark contrast to his trajectory over the past year. He entered the 2025 Australian Open ranked 29th globally but used a late-season surge, highlighted by a semifinal run at the U.S. Open, to catapult himself into the sport's elite. His early departure in Melbourne is a significant setback for both his own ambitions and Canada's hopes at the season's first Grand Slam.
