Auger-Aliassime & Monfils Accept Lyon Open Wild Cards

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils will be taking part in the 2023 Lyon Open in order to fine-tune their games for Roland Garros the week after.

It's been a difficult season for both of these players, certainly below the expected level. Monfils has been out with injuries for a long time, and since his return, he has only won one match. It was a win due to the retirement of his opponent, but Monfils won the first set, showing that he started slowly, gaining confidence in his game.

Still, he has a 1-6 record since he returned to the tennis courts, and getting a chance to play another match in Lyon is a great chance to get back up to speed. He needs matches to fine-tune his game, as this might be his last Roland Garros ever.

Monfils is one of the oldest players on the ATP Tour, and with injuries being a huge part of his career, there is no guarantee he'll be fit by the time the next one comes around.

Felix Auger-Aliassime hasn't had that much success this year either, certainly not on clay, where he played only two matches this year. Both were losses, and he didn't inspire much faith in his level either.

After last year's great showing at Roland Garros, many expected great things from the Canadian. However, that hasn't been the case. Perhaps a return to Lyon will be good for him, as he played in the Lyon Open final a few years ago. It was a losing effort, but a few matches wouldn't hurt him as he looks to get acclimated to clay ahead of Roland Garros.

Two matches are not an ideal preparation, even if he considers the red dirt as one of his stronger surfaces. They join a solid entry list consisting of last year's champion Cameron Norrie alongside Tommy Paul, Jack Draper, and more.