Arthur Fils impressed with Alcaraz: “He is much stronger than us.”

The recent final of the ATP 500 in Doha highlighted the immense talent of Carlos Alcaraz, who dominated Arthur Fils with a relentless 6-2, 6-1. Despite the crushing defeat, Fils, a young French prodigy at just 21 years old, did not allow frustration to overshadow his impressive performance after a long recovery period. With a return to the circuit that seemed uncertain, the athlete expressed a mix of admiration and ambition in an interview with RCM radio.

“After a duel against Alcaraz, it’s undeniable that we need to improve in every aspect,” said Fils, emphasizing the undeniable superiority of the current world number one. “He is at a level far above ours, especially when it comes to players outside the top 10. He had an answer for every shot I tried, and I ended up feeling blocked, without solutions. However, it was a fantastic experience to play a final, even if it was a bit quick,” he added, with a hopeful outlook for the future.

The young French talent reflected on his recent journey, marked by a serious accident that kept him out of competition since May 2025. “Eight months is a long time. Since Roland Garros, I have faced injury issues, and this period has been challenging. Having to start from scratch, returning to play the best tennis of my life and reaching the final of an ATP 500 so quickly is a true joy. Honestly, I didn’t expect to reach this level so soon,” he stated.

Fils had to undergo a significant physical transformation to return to the circuit, including losing weight to meet the demands of high-level competition. This tournament in Doha also marked the beginning of his partnership with Goran Ivanisevic, the legendary coach who brought a new perspective and experience to his game. “This was the first tournament under his guidance. Ivan Cinkus will return at Indian Wells, but I’m feeling good with Goran. He has helped me a lot in just four or five days,” he commented.

The tennis player, who currently ranks 34th in the world, outlined his goals for the season. “The signs are all positive. With my team, I have set goals for 2026, but the main one is to ensure that I stay healthy throughout the season. I want to play tournament after tournament, have fun, be consistent, and avoid drastic fluctuations in my performance. Roland Garros? I’m looking forward to going back there. I will do everything in my power to be in good shape. It’s a goal shared by all the French players, and it generates incredible emotions. Last year was electrifying,” Fils concluded, promising to fight for a place among the greats of world tennis.

With this mindset, Arthur Fils is ready to face any challenge the season presents, dreaming of shining once again on the courts and winning the hearts of tennis fans.