Arthur Fils is the set to be the top ranked French player heading into Roland Garros next month.
Fils was praised by Carlos Alcaraz after their recent quarter-final match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Alcaraz is not the only person to notice the Frenchman’s impressive recent form, with Andy Roddick backing Fils to make some noise at Roland Garros this year.
The clay court major is his weakest Grand Slam tournament so far in his young career, but Fils is predicted to impress at Roland Garros in 2025.
Arthur Fils names two French that are playing incredibly well ahead of Roland Garros
Fils is currently the French number one, and is currently at his career-high ranking of world number 14.
After continuing his good form by reaching the Barcelona Open quarter-finals, Fils was asked in his post-match press conference about how he felt to be the leading French player.
Despite the honor, Fils admitted that becoming a top 10 player is much more significant to him.
Fils also named Ugo Humbert (No.21) and the big serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (No.34) as two other French players that are doing well at the moment.
“You know, the top 10 is very… very tough, very demanding,” said Fils. “I think Humbert came pretty close. We’ve had a lot of great players in the past, many of them were in the top 10 and competing for the biggest titles.
“In the last two or three years it’s been a bit tougher, but I think we’re coming back. There’s Humbert who’s playing incredibly, Perricard who’s playing brilliantly… And I’m trying to find a way to climb the rankings, and I think it’s going well. But you know, I still have ten years ahead of me, so I’m in no rush. All calm.”
Fils continued, “Being number one in France doesn’t give me any more pressure or enjoyment. I get asked a lot in France, but I always say that being number one in France isn’t my goal. If I’m number two in France but in the top 10 in the world, that’s fine, I don’t care.
“My goal is just to climb higher and higher in the rankings. Being number one in France and number ten in the world doesn’t make much of a difference to me.”
French number two Humbert is currently dealing with an injury, but has still been cleared to continue competing.
Arthur Fils says what his goals are for the clay court season
The biggest tournament of the year for French players is usually Roland Garros, but they have not had a man reach the quarter-finals of their home major since Richard Gasquet in 2016.
Gasquet will be retiring this year, and Fils is seen to be the man to take on the mantle as the next star of French tennis.
Fils has lost both of his previous matches at Roland Garros and will be looking to get his first wins at the 2025 tournament.
However, he explained that he is also hoping to do well in Madrid and Rome, suggesting that he does not want to put too much pressure on his Roland Garros performance.
“My goal isn’t just Roland Garros,” said Fils. “I want to play well everywhere, like in Madrid or Rome. If I can play well at Roland Garros, even better. I’m just trying to work really hard on the court and then give my best during the matches.
“I’m playing a lot more games each week now, so I know how to handle more pressure situations. Last year I was playing well, but I was struggling with my mentality, my attitude, and my behavior on the pitch. It’s going much better now. So yeah, I think it’s changed a lot compared to last year, for sure.”
Before any of those tournaments, Fils will play his Barcelona Open quarter-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
