Felix Auger-Aliassime was spotted wearing a Team USA ice hockey jersey around the grounds at Indian Wells.
A strange decision by the proud Canadian.
There had to be an explanation, and of course, there was…
Felix Auger-Aliassime lost a bet with Sebastian Korda to wear Team USA jersey
Auger-Aliassime was confident that Team Canada would defeat Team USA in the Winter Olympic men’s ice hockey final.
Speaking to ‘Bolshe‘, Auger-Aliassime shared the details of the bet he made with American ATP star Sebastian Korda.
“My t-shirt?” he said.
“It doesn’t feel right for me. Almost a mistake. I lost a bet with a good friend, doubles partner here, Sebastian Korda, an American.
“We had a bet before the final that whoever would lose would have to wear the other team’s jersey, for the media day at Indian Wells.”
Auger-Aliassime watched his team lose in overtime as the Canadian’s settled for silver.
“Of course [I watched], I have to support my team,” he said.
“Canada, hockey is our sport, we grew up watching it, and it’s like the World Cup for us, when it’s the Olympics.
“It was a tough day when we lost, to be honest, I was cheering hard!
“I felt bad for these guys; they gave so much to the competition, to the country, they fought so hard, and it was unfortunate.”
Auger-Aliassime will have to wait four more years to see the Canadian’s compete on the Olympic stage again.
That doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy hockey in the meantime, though.
His Montreal Canadiens sit fourth in the NHL Atlantic Division, and play the Anaheim Ducks next.
Who will Felix Auger-Aliassime play at Indian Wells?
Auger-Aliassime will meet French wild card Gael Monfils in the second round of Indian Wells.
There is history between the pair, as Auger-Aliassime and Monfils exchanged words at the Laver Cup three years ago.
Auger-Aliassime was frustrated with the time Monfils took between points.
“Is it a full-on exhibition, or are you sticking to the ATP rules?” Auger-Aliassime asked the umpire.
“And you’re telling me that’s normal? He sits down for like 30 seconds! I mean, that’s a time-violation warning. I can play games too.”
Monfils and Auger-Aliassime proceeded to exchange words in French during the changeover.
During the next changeover, Monfils spoke to captain Bjorn Borg and vice-captain Tomas Enqvist about Auger-Aliassime’s complaints.
“If I don’t want to play a tournament, I don’t play it,” he said.
“They called me, they told me, the Laver Cup is so nice, you can be free.
“I’m here to have fun.”
Eventually, Auger-Aliassime prevailed, winning the match in straight sets, and they haven’t met on tour since.
Auger-Aliassime will hope to pick up another win when they meet in California on Friday, March 6.
Then, on Sunday, Auger-Aliassime will team up with Korda to take on Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Melo.
Leave a Reply