08 Summer 2021 ITF World
Lareau overcoming the formidable pairing of
Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde to win
gold in the men's doubles in Sydney in 2000.
Auger-Aliassime was little more than a
month old then. But in what could prove a
quirk of fate, he turns 21 on the day of the
Closing Ceremony in Tokyo, and the young
pretender has not ruled out 8 August being
a day of momentous celebration.
"I am not going there to just enjoy the
moment," he said. "It's all about the build-up
now and becoming an Olympian but once it
comes closer to starting, it will become more
about competing and winning.
"That's why I am going there. I am going
there to try and compete and win, not just
be a kid enjoying the moment."
As Auger-Aliassime suggests, there will be
boys and girls sat at home watching their
Canadian heroes parade the nation's flag with
pride at the Opening Ceremony on 23 July, just
as he did more than a decade ago.
Many will dream of following in his footsteps
and some may even do so. But whatever the
future holds for those onlookers, Canada's
dynamic tennis contingent are the modern-
day vintage and those charged with providing
memories that will be cherished for decades
to come.
Teenager Leylah Annie Fernandez is another
to have made their mark in recent years and,
like Auger-Aliassime, is straining at the leash
for her first taste of Olympic action.
" The Olympics
was always a
dream of mine
growing up and
my first memory
was seeing how
big it was. It
reaches way
further than
your own sport
or yourself."
OLYMPIC GAMES
Le
Auger-Aliassime
during the 2019
Davis Cup
Finals in Madrid
Below
The 20-year-old
reached the round
of 16 at this year's
Australian Open
