Canadian tennis star Félix Auger-Aliassime has withdrawn from the National Bank Open in Montreal after suffering a back injury during practice on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The unexpected exit ends a milestone-heavy summer for the local favourite, who currently holds a career-high fourth ranking in the world.
Scheduled to play his opening match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Auger-Aliassime was forced to pull out of the Omnium Banque Nationale due to a back injury sustained during a practice session.
Because of the late withdrawal, his scheduled opponent, Titouan Droguet, advances automatically to the third round. The exit also deals a heavy blow to the host country’s contingent, making him the third Canadian player to see their tournament end on a medical note following similar exits by Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo.
Back Injury Strikes After 10 Days of Preparation in Montreal
The timing could hardly be more frustrating for the Montreal-born athlete, who arrived in the city ten days early and declared himself to be in the best physical shape of his career. Having recently celebrated his 26th birthday, the world number four had enjoyed a stellar season, capturing a hard-court title in Rotterdam in February and reaching the quarterfinals at both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
On the historic grass courts of London just weeks prior, he pushed the legendary Novak Djokovic to the limit in a grueling five-hour and 15-minute thriller. That momentum carried high expectations into his hometown tournament, where he was seeded second following the withdrawals of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Yet the tournament has a history of giving him trouble. Although he reached the quarterfinals in 2022, he suffered opening-round exits in his three previous appearances, including an early loss last year directly following the Paris Olympic Games.
Transitioning Without Longtime Coach Frédéric Fontang
The physical setback arrives during a significant period of professional transition. Following Wimbledon a month ago, Auger-Aliassime and his coach of nearly a decade, Frédéric Fontang, mutually agreed to part ways after ten exceptional years that produced nine ATP titles and two Masters 1000 finals.
Fontang explained that both parties felt they had made the rounds and that the player needed a new voice and fresh energy to break through the glass ceiling of major titles. While Fontang has already taken on a new role coaching 12th-ranked Jiri Lehecka, his bond with his former pupil remains intact.
He will be ready for his next tournament. Frédéric Fontang, former coach
Speaking to reporters after the withdrawal, Fontang noted that back issues are hazards of high-level competition and that the player has experienced minor back pain in the past without it being cause for long-term alarm.
Family Support and Looking Ahead to Cincinnati
In the absence of an official coach, Auger-Aliassime has relied on guidance from his father, Sam Aliassime, who operates the Aliassime Tennis Academy. The player noted that working with his father brings unconditional support and absolute honesty during challenging stretches.
Though he has held conversations with prospective candidates to guide his future career, any formal announcement regarding a new coaching hire is expected to wait until after the upcoming U.S. Open in September.
Despite the disappointment of cutting his Montreal campaign short, recovery is already underway. Fontang confirmed that the player already trained in Cincinnati ahead of the upcoming Masters 1000 tournament, where his high seeding should grant him a first-round bye and an opening match over the weekend.
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