Shanghai Masters star brings new wife to tournament for honeymoon | Tennis | Sport
Felix Auger-Aliassime is back in action at the Shanghai Masters – his first tournament since he tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend, Nina Ghaibi. The pair wed in Marrakech less than two weeks ago, but they’ve put plans for a real honeymoon on hold.
Instead, Auger-Aliassime’s new wife has joined him at the Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai, which he joked will be their honeymoon instead. As the No. 12 seed, Auger-Aliassime gets his campaign underway on Saturday when he faces Alejandro Tabilo, with Nina no doubt cheering him on from the stands.
Auger-Aliassime’s wedding became a hot topic during his US Open run, when he beat three top-15 players on his way to the semi-finals, and then lost to Jannik Sinner in four sets.
As he progressed through the draw in Flushing Meadows, he was aware that he could well miss his final wedding suit fitting in Paris. But Auger-Aliassime managed to make a flying stop in France after losing to Sinner, and everything was back on track.
He married Nina on September 20 at the Selman Marrakech hotel before attention quickly turned to the Shanghai Masters. “Honeymoon? This is our honeymoon, a Shanghai honeymoon,” Auger-Aliassime jokingly told the ATP after arriving in China with Nina.
“We’re here together and maybe later in the year there’s going to be a honeymoon. But for now, obviously I have to get back to the tournaments, get back to work… but we’re still having a good time together.”
Auger-Aliassime has plenty to think about before he can go on a real honeymoon at the end of the season. For now, he’s keen to qualify for the ATP Finals.
The eight players who have earned the most ranking points in a single year are given a spot in the prestigious season-ending championships, and the Canadian is in contention following his statement US Open run.
Auger-Aliassime currently sits at No. 10 in the race, but Britain’s Jack Draper, who is in ninth place, has already ended his season. Novak Djokovic, who is fourth in the race, has not decided whether he will compete in the year-end event.
The 25-year-old made his ATP Finals debut in 2022, and he knows that a strong showing in Shanghai can improve his place in the race.
Auger-Aliassime added: “I’m extremely motivated. I started the year very strong and then for a couple months it was more difficult in the spring, but I had a great summer in America.
“There’s always ups and downs, but it’s been a positive year so far. So if I can make one last push in the next month to secure my place in Turin, that would be beautiful.
“But I’m not in it right now, so I need to push some guys out. I need to really play some good tennis and get a lot of wins.”
With Nina by his side, Auger-Aliassime will be hoping to end the tennis season on a high before they can finally go on that honeymoon.
