Ivan Ljubicic Joined Felix Auger-Aliassime Coaching Team
The former world No. 3 will lead the young star following a difficult 2026 season.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Tennis
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Felix Auger-Aliassime has hired former world No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic to his coaching staff to revitalize his performance. The move follows the conclusion of Auger-Aliassime's long-term partnership with Frederic Fontang earlier this year.
Why it matters
Auger-Aliassime aims to regain form in major tournaments after a challenging 2026 season marked by inconsistent results. Ljubicic brings extensive championship experience to the team, having previously guided Roger Federer to three major titles.
Ljubicic reached a career-high world ranking of No. 3, while Auger-Aliassime currently holds a world ranking of No. 5. During his tenure with Ljubicic, Roger Federer secured three major titles and reclaimed the ATP top ranking at age 36.
The players
Ivan Ljubicic
A former professional tennis player who achieved a world ranking of No. 3 and previously served as a high-profile coach to Roger Federer.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
A top-ranked professional tennis player who has won nine ATP titles during his career.
Frederic Fontang
A professional tennis coach who worked with Felix Auger-Aliassime through a period that included reaching the top-4 ranking.
Roger Federer
A retired tennis legend widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
French Tennis Federation
The national governing body for tennis in France responsible for the administration of the sport and the organization of the French Open.
The details
Ljubicic will balance his new coaching responsibilities with his existing role as a special adviser to the French Tennis Federation president and his development of a tennis academy on the island of Veli Losinj. The hire comes after Auger-Aliassime sought a fresh strategic direction following a recent match loss in Beijing.
Timeline
2016 to 2022: Ivan Ljubicic coached Roger Federer.
July 2026: Felix Auger-Aliassime ended his partnership with Frederic Fontang.
August 2026: Ivan Ljubicic began his advisory role for the French Tennis Federation.
2026 season: Felix Auger-Aliassime struggled with inconsistent results.
Season Trajectory
This high-profile coaching change marks a strategic pivot for Auger-Aliassime following the 2016-2022 coaching partnership between Ivan Ljubicic and Roger Federer. It signals an effort to re-align his competitive standing after a difficult 2026 season threatened his position among the world's elite.
Auger-Aliassime's move to a high-profile coach suggests he will maintain his current ranking trajectory while shifting focus to deep runs in upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. Fans of the sport should watch his upcoming performance in late-season indoor events to see if the tactical changes provide immediate results.
The takeaway
Coaching changes in professional tennis often serve as a reset button for players struggling to bridge the gap between consistency and major-title success. By bringing in a former top-ranked veteran like Ljubicic, players gain access to the technical and mental frameworks that defined the previous generation of champions.
Further reading
For more on the latest changes across the professional tour, visit Tennis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tennis World USA.
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