Ivan Ljubicic takes on Auger-Aliassime coaching role

Ivan Ljubicic is adding a player-coaching assignment to his work with the French Tennis Federation, taking charge of Felix Auger-Aliassime while retaining his two existing positions. The move gives the Canadian a coach after his split with Frederic Fontang this summer, while Ljubicic remains involved in the FFT’s high-performance and international work.

Auger-Aliassime, currently fifth in the world rankings and formerly fourth, had been working without a coach since ending a 10-year partnership with Fontang. He reached the US Open semi-finals last year, but after the coaching change he went out in the second round this season.

Ljubicic brings extensive experience to the role. The 47-year-old former world number three coached Milos Raonic from 2013 to 2015 before working with Roger Federer for seven years, from 2015 through 2022. As a player, he reached the Roland-Garros semi-finals in 2006, where Rafael Nadal ended his run.

His appointment will not currently take him away from the FFT. Ljubicic joined the federation’s structure at the end of 2022, almost a decade after retiring, and will continue as director of high performance and as special adviser to president Gilles Moretton. Those responsibilities include international matters and relations with players on the professional tours.