Laver Cup 2023: ‘I can play games too’ – Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils in tense argument

Felix Auger-Aliassime was involved in a tense moment with Gael Monfils during his 6-4 6-3 win at the Laver Cup in Canada.

It was a comfortable victory for the 23-year-old, who has had a largely disappointing season, as Team World moved 3-0 ahead of Team Europe – but that only told part of the story following a tetchy contest in Vancouver.

There was tension from the first set when the Canadian believed Monfils was taking too long between points – a suggestion which did not go down well with the Frenchman.

Auger-Aliassime urged the umpire to issue his rival with a time violation, saying “I can play games too” as the official hesitated on imposing a violation. However, this did not resolve matters as Monfils stoked the fire even more.

His underarm serve as play resumed angered Auger-Aliassime, and there was another flashpoint in the next changeover with the Canadian leading 4-3.

The competitive nature of the contest did not go down well with Monfils, who felt the match should be treated like an exhibition.

“I have a kid… If I don’t want to play a tournament, I don’t play a tournament,” Monfils told his team-mates during the changeover at 5-4.

“They called me and said ‘you can be free’. For me, I’m here to have fun.”

This was not the approach taken by Team World nor Auger-Aliassime, who was eager to take another win and ram home their advantage.

“We are trying to play hard, to compete, but also to have fun,” said the world No. 14 afterwards.

“Things get tense on the court sometimes. You want to stand up for yourself. Only one guy gets the win in the end. You try your best to stay cool but at the same time to stand up for yourself. That’s what I was trying to do, get the energy going and just try to not let him take too much ground I guess.”

The first team to reach 13 points will win the Laver Cup, and the stakes increase on Saturday with two points available for each win, and three on Sunday – the final day of the competition.