Felix Auger-Aliassime to make UTS return at Bastide UTS Nimes in 2026
The Canadian will play UTS for the first time since 2020
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Felix Auger-Aliassime will bring his explosive power game to the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Nimes next spring, with the world No 5 confirmed as the latest addition to the Bastide UTS Nimes 2026 line-up.
The Canadian, known in the UTS universe as “The Panther” in 2020, has switched his nickname to “the Gentle Warrior”. Auger-Aliassime is set to make his debut in the stunning Arenes de Nimes on April 3-4, 2026. He joins a formidable field that already includes defending champion Casper “The Ice Man” Ruud, home favourite Ugo “The Commander” Humbert, and the unpredictable Alexander “The Bublik Enemy” Bublik.
The Panther Returns
This will be a long-awaited return to the UTS format for Auger-Aliassime. He last competed at UTS 2 in 2020, where he stormed to the final before suffering a sudden-death defeat to Alexander “The Lion” Zverev.
His aggressive, first-strike tennis—built around a thunderous serve and a lethal forehand—is perfectly suited to the fast-paced, four-quarter format of UTS. Now established as a top-five player with eight ATP titles to his name, The Panther will be hunting for his first UTS trophy on the clay of Nimes.
A Clash of Styles in the Arena
The addition of Auger-Aliassime adds another layer of intrigue to the UTS Nimes field. His disciplined yet explosive power contrasts sharply with the defence and UTS experience of Ruud, the tactical variety of Humbert, and the chaotic brilliance of Bublik.
The tournament will kick off the European clay-court swing, taking place just seven weeks before Roland-Garros. It features a two-day knockout format with quarter-finals on Friday, April 3, followed by the Final Four on Saturday, April 4. Casper Ruud, the defending champion, Alexander Bublik, Ugo Humbert and Andrey Rublev are the other contenders. Three other players are still set to be designated
Tickets for the event are available now, with fans expected to pack the 13,000-seat amphitheatre for what promises to be a gladiatorial showcase of modern tennis.
