Canadian tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime has decided to withdraw from the ongoing Moselle Open due to a knee injury, prioritizing his health over a chance to qualify for the prestigious ATP Finals. The 25-year-old athlete, hailing from Montreal, made this announcement as the tournament in Metz, France, unfolds as one of the two ATP 250 events this week.

Auger-Aliassime recently reached the final of the Paris Masters, where he narrowly lost 6-4, 7-6 (4) to the current world No. 1, Jannik Sinner. He showcased remarkable resilience throughout the tournament, fighting back from a set down in his initial three matches and engaging in five tiebreakers. This performance propelled him to the 8th position in the ATP rankings, surpassing Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the race for a spot in the ATP Finals, scheduled to commence in Turin, Italy, this Sunday.

While Auger-Aliassime rests and recuperates from his knee injury, Musetti is competing in the Hellenic Championship in Athens this week and must secure victory in the tournament to reclaim the ATP Finals berth from his Canadian counterpart. This year, Auger-Aliassime has accumulated a commendable record of 48 wins and 22 losses, clinching three titles and making a significant comeback to the top eight rankings for the first time since April 10, 2023.