Auger-Aliassime pleased to have fans return during Hamburg European Open: "There’s nothing that replaces the live applause"

Felix Auger-Aliassime made a successful start to his debut at the Hamburg European Open on Tuesday seeing off Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 7-6.

The young Canadian who will next play Alexander Bublik on Wednesday is confident of a good run in Germany and believes his form is good.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve played some good tennis in the past weeks in the United States. Now I feel good physically and mentally,” Auger-Aliassime said on Monday.

“I’m ready for the upcoming challenges. It’s going to be a tough week. [ATP] 500 tournaments are always strong ones and especially this week, so we’ll see who the best man is this week. I’m looking forward to playing some good tennis.”

Some fans have been allowed in at Hamburg and despite the capacity being small, he is just glad to have them back in some capacity.

“It feels so good. Honestly the feeling is just great,” Auger-Aliassime said. “To be here, it’s a smaller draw. There’s not a full capacity of fans, but still we’re able to hear the applause and have them watch us live and it’s such a special thing as a tennis player. But I think artists and musicians can say the same thing. There’s nothing that replaces the live applause.”