As the tennis world converges on Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year, one of the few players tipped to challenge the supremacy of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner carries a unique perspective forged far from the baseline. Félix Auger-Aliassime, the world number seven, opens up about a life-changing teenage visit to Togo, his ongoing philanthropic efforts, and the rich form that makes him a serious contender at the Australian Open.
A Life-Changing Journey to West Africa
"Well, imagine you're 13," Félix Auger-Aliassime recalls with a smile, reflecting on his first trip to his father's homeland over a decade ago. Having grown up in Canada with travels to Europe and America, the young athlete found Togo to be a profoundly different experience. That initial visit in his early teens served as a pivotal moment, offering a tangible connection to his heritage and his father Sam's origins.
"It opened my eyes," he states. The Canadian star had heard family stories, but witnessing the reality of the conditions his father faced while growing up was transformative. He describes a realisation about the uneven starting lines in life, noting that in the global race, someone in Togo begins far behind someone in a country like Canada. This insight planted a seed, a resolve that one day he would return with his family to "do something" meaningful.
Transforming Insight into Action: The #FAAPointsForChange Initiative
Auger-Aliassime has made good on that youthful promise. Since 2020, he has partnered with the humanitarian organisation Care, channelling support to thousands in Togo. His flagship effort is the #FAAPointsForChange campaign, through which he donates $5 for every point he wins on the ATP Tour. His partner, BNP Paribas, triples each donation, significantly amplifying the impact.
The funds have been strategically deployed across various projects, directly benefiting more than 2,700 people. Initiatives have ranged from supplying essential school materials and sports equipment to supporting young adult development programmes. The focus is now evolving towards providing scholarships for higher education, helping brilliant students who might otherwise drop out due to financial pressures to continue their studies.
Auger-Aliassime, who made another trip to Togo in December 2024, speaks warmly of the resilience and positivity he encountered. "I saw that [their difficulties] didn't change that the people had good spirits. They had smiles on their faces... everybody's kind to each other," he observes, contrasting this with the stark realities of overcrowded classrooms and limited infrastructure.
Resurgent Form Positions Him as a Top Challenger in Melbourne
This philanthropic work preceded a spectacular career resurgence for the 25-year-old. After a difficult period that saw his ranking slump to No. 29 and his confidence waver, Auger-Aliassime's trademark professionalism and diligence bore fruit in the latter half of 2024.
He ignited during the US hard-court season, powering his way to a semi-final berth at the US Open. He capped the year by clinching his eighth ATP title in Brussels and reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin. This blistering run catapulted him back into the world's top five, setting the stage for a formidable Australian Open campaign.
With other young talents like Jack Draper, Holger Rune, and Arthur Fils sidelined by injury, Auger-Aliassime finds himself in a select group of players with the genuine capability to trouble the tournament favourites. His powerful shot-making and athleticism, long touted as grand slam-winning potential, are now aligned with consistent, high-level performance.
Now an 11-year veteran of the tour since becoming the youngest male to win an ATP Challenger match at 14, Auger-Aliassime views his career through the prism of his father's journey. He reflects on Sam Aliassime's move from Togo to Canada, the pressure to succeed, and the humble beginnings from which he first coached his son.
In that context, competing at the summit of global tennis alongside his father is an achievement that transcends any trophy. As he arrives in Melbourne, Auger-Aliassime carries not just the hopes of challenging Alcaraz and Sinner, but the legacy of a family's journey and a lasting commitment to give back.
