Ottawa Watches as Canada's Tennis Stars Have a Bittersweet Day in Paris
Ottawa tennis fans tuned in with hope on Wednesday as two of Canada's biggest names took centre court at Roland Garros — and the results were a classic tale of heartbreak and triumph.
Felix Auger-Aliassime's run at the 2026 French Open came to an end in the quarterfinals, where the Montréal-born star dropped a tough 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 decision to Italian rising talent Flavio Cobolli. It was a gutting exit for FAA and for Canadian fans from coast to coast who had hoped to see him push deeper into the draw.
A Promising Quarterfinal Slips Away
Auger-Aliassime had the better of the opening set, taking it 6-4 and looking sharp on the clay. But Cobolli — who has been one of the most improved players on tour this season — dug in and took control of the match from the second set onward.
Despite winning the second set to level things at one set apiece, FAA couldn't sustain the momentum. Cobolli claimed the third and fourth sets convincingly, ending the Canadian's tournament in four sets.
It's a disappointing result for Auger-Aliassime, who came into the tournament with real expectations after a solid clay season. At 24, he still has plenty of Grand Slam opportunities ahead of him, but another deep run at a major remains the goal for Canada's most prominent men's singles player.
Dabrowski Delivers — Finals Bound
While FAA's run ended, Ottawa tennis fans had reason to celebrate: Gaby Dabrowski punched her ticket to the mixed doubles final at Roland Garros.
Dabrowski, who was born in Ottawa and is one of the most decorated doubles players in Canadian tennis history, has been a fixture on the biggest stages in the sport. Reaching another Grand Slam final is a testament to her consistency and elite-level doubles game.
Dabrowski has won multiple Grand Slam doubles titles throughout her career, and she'll be looking to add another piece of hardware when she steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier for the mixed doubles final.
A Proud Tennis Nation
Canada has become one of the premier tennis nations in the world over the past decade — a fact not lost on Ottawa's vibrant tennis community. From the courts at Lansdowne to the recreational clubs scattered across the city, the sport has never been more popular locally.
With stars like Auger-Aliassime, Dabrowski, Bianca Andreescu, and Denis Shapovalov carrying the Canadian flag on the world stage, young players in Ottawa have no shortage of homegrown role models to look up to.
For FAA, the clay season may be over, but Wimbledon is right around the corner — and for Dabrowski, Paris isn't done yet.
Source: CBC Sports
