Canadian star Félix Auger-Aliassime’s comments about closing the gap with Italian standout Jannik Sinner sparked varying reactions from Sam Querrey, John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock on the “Nothing Major Show.” Auger-Aliassime was last in action at the 2025 Paris Masters, where he made it to the finals but fell to world No. 2 Sinner, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
At his Paris Masters press conference, Auger-Aliassime expressed that he feels he is closing the gap with Sinner. On his mindset, he said, “For me, it’s not a huge gap. I’m getting closer every match we actually play one against the other.”
Their head-to-head record currently sits at 2-3, with Sinner leading the matchups.
Félix Auger-Aliassime’s Remarks on Nearing Jannik Sinner’s Level Draw Pushback From Former Pros
When addressing Auger-Aliassime’s remarks, the hosts offered their own perspectives, challenging the idea that the Canadian is closing the gap.
Isner asked whether Sock, who has won four singles titles, 17 doubles titles, and two Olympic medals, agreed. Sock replied, “I do not. I do like the confidence for sure. I think you have to have that, but I’m just going to go off of the facts and the results with Sinner (Jannik), Alcaraz (Carlos) winning virtually every tournament that they play in.”
He continued, “I don’t know if it’s really on Felix’s racket to close the gap like that. But I think it’s kind of dependent on how those guys play that day, to be honest, which I just think they’re that far above in level.”
Querrey, who has claimed 10 singles titles and five doubles titles, also shared a differing opinion. He said, “You got to beat him consistently. Just because you win a random one and then Sinner reels off eight more in a row, that’s not like closing the gap.”
Acknowledging Auger-Aliassime’s accomplishment of reaching the eighth spot at the 2025 ATP Finals, Querrey added, “Unreal week for Felix. Making finals in a pressure situation where he’s trying to make the year end.”
Other hosts, including Johnson, pointed out that to genuinely close the gap, Auger-Aliassime would need to beat Sinner in a Grand Slam tournament, the sport’s premier events. At the same time, Isner highlighted Sinner’s dominance, referencing his wins over world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in recent events, including the Vienna Open final and the Paris Masters semifinal. He added that the top two players’ supremacy is most apparent when they are in peak form.