DUBAI, UAE — Canadian tennis star Félix Auger-Aliassime enters the final week of February 2026 as one of the hottest players on the ATP Tour. Currently ranked world No. 7, the 25-year-old Montreal native is set to headline the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as the tournament’s top seed, following a dominant start to the 2026 season.
Dubai Open: Auger-Aliassime Faces Zhizhen Zhang
On Monday, February 23, 2026, Auger-Aliassime begins his campaign in Dubai against world No. 319 Zhizhen Zhang. Despite the gap in rankings, the Canadian is not taking the opening round lightly. After withdrawing from the Qatar Open last week due to minor physical concerns, Auger-Aliassime told reporters today that there is “nothing to be worried about” regarding his fitness.
The Canadian enters the Middle-East swing with a formidable 9–3 record for the year. His 2026 highlights already include successfully defending his title in Montpellier and reaching the final of the Rotterdam Open, where he narrowly lost to Alex de Minaur.
A Career-High Climb and Record-Breaking Stats
Auger-Aliassime’s recent surge follows a historic 2025 campaign where he reached a career-high ranking of world No. 5 on November 17, 2025. With nine career singles titles and over $21 million in prize money, he has officially set the record for the most ATP titles won by a Canadian man.
Standing 6’4″ and weighing 194 lbs, the right-hander has evolved into one of the tour’s most consistent performers. His 2026 indoor record of 8–1 underscores his dominance on fast surfaces, making him the heavy favorite to deep-run in the Dubai bracket this week.
Off-Court News and Olympic Spirit
Beyond the baseline, Auger-Aliassime has been making headlines for his personal life and national pride. He recently celebrated a milestone with his long-time partner, Nina Ghaibi; the couple has been together since March 2019.
Additionally, the tennis star has been vocal in his support for fellow Canadian athletes. On February 22, 2026, Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez shared messages of encouragement for the Canadian Olympic hockey team following a tough loss to the USA at the Winter Games. Having made his own Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Auger-Aliassime remains a central figure in Canada’s international sporting identity.
What’s Next for the Canadian No. 1?
If Auger-Aliassime advances past Zhang today, he is projected to face a challenging path toward the final, with potential matchups against rising stars and seasoned veterans like Sebastian Korda, who is also coming off a title win in Delray Beach. Fans can stream the ATP Dubai Open live as the Canadian looks to secure his 10th career title and climb back toward the ATP top five.