The Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime's Rotterdam Open 2025 campaign came to an end after he retired from his opening-round match against Andrea Vavassori on Wednesday, February 5. Following the unexpected retirement, Auger-Aliassime explained the reason behind his withdrawal from the tournament.
What did Felix Auger-Aliassime say about his withdrawal from Rotterdam Open 2025?
Auger-Aliassime has won the Rotterdam Open in the past in 2022. He was eyeing his eighth career title and third of the season after winning the Adelaide Open and Montpellier. He was facing Andrea Vavassori in his opening first-round match.
Andrea Vavassori showed immense battle in the first set after going neck to neck with the Canadian but fell short in the tiebreak 7-6(3). The Italian continued with his impressive run in the second set as he managed to break Auger-Aliassime in the seventh game for a 4-3 lead.
Auger-Aliassime had called for a medical time-out to assess his right toenail injury before Vavassori served for the set at 5-4. After failing to keep himself alive in the second set, Auger-Aliassime retired from the match.
Following his withdrawal, Auger-Aliassime said:
There was a problem in the nail in my big toe – ingrown nail. It’s very painful but at least it is quick to resolve.
This is not the first time that he is going through this issue as he faced a similar problem a year and a half ago.
A year and a half ago I had the problem and we did the same procedure that I’m going to do this week. I thought that it was behind me but it appeared yesterday at the practice when I came from Montpellier and it started hurting and today it was worse, Auger-Aliassime added.
At least I’m familiar with this. I knew where it was going so it was safer and easier for me to stop now, he further added.
Auger-Aliassime reflects on his retirement from the ongoing Rotterdam Open 2025
Auger-Aliassime had called for a medical timeout hoping to recover temporarily and wrap up the proceedings in straight sets but that wasn't the case.
Well, I was trying to see if I can win the second set, somehow," he said. "But I knew that to play a full third set would be hard in these conditions. I was up a set, so it would’ve been nice for me if I’d won the second set but it was tough to keep going, Auger-Aliassime added.
Auger-Aliassime ensured his fans that his injury would recover in time and he will be part of the upcoming event in Doha, starting from February 17 to February 22.
(The recovery time) is quick. After I do the procedure, within days I’ll be back. This is just a little hiccup. But we’re going in a good direction. I’m really happy with how things are going, Auger-Aliassime concluded.
Following Auger-Aliassime's retirement after his first-round match with Andrea Vavassori, the latter will now lock horns with Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, February 6.