Arthur Fils sent a message of support to Stefanos Tsitsipas following the premature end to their Barcelona Open clash.
The 20-year-old squared off against the World number 16 for a spot in the semi-finals of the ATP 500 event.
It was a contest many were looking forward to, and Stefanos Tsitsipas was aiming to defeat Fils for the first time in his career.
But just two games into the match, disaster struck and the Frenchman found himself in the next round after just several minutes of action.
Arthur Fils reacts to Stefanos Tsitsipas’ injury retirement at the Barcelona Open
Arthur Fils reached the Barcelona Open quarter-finals following a 6-3, 6-2 victory against home favourite Pedro Martinez. Tsitsipas booked his spot in the last eight after defeating America’s Sebastian Korda 7-6, 6-4.
As a result the pair booked their quarter-final clash which had the makings of an entertaining encounter, but it lasted just two games as Tsitsipas was forced to retire due to injury.
The Greek player looked devastated as he approached the net, shook hands with Fils and informed him that he could no longer continue.
Post-match Fils shared the injury he thinks Tsitsipas is suffered with and he wished him well during what is a crucial portion of the season.
“I think it’s the back. I’m not very sure to be honest,” Fils said on court. “I was ready to battle for a few hours because he’s a champion. Every time we play we have tough matches.
“My wish is he’s gonna be ready for the next weeks and for the French Open. I wish him the best. I don’t know what he had but I wish him the best.”
Who is Arthur Fils’ next opponent?
Fils will face the toughest test of his Barcelona Open campaign so far when he takes on Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
The World number two took out Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals and he continues his quest to regain the title he won in 2022 and 2023.
This will be the pair’s second meeting in a week, after Alcaraz came from behind to defeat Fils at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Ahead of the contest, Fils reflected on the defeat from a week ago and looks to use the lessons he learned from that encounter in Saturday’s semi-final.
“Of course. The last match was very positive. Of course, I lost it, but still very positive,” Fils explained. “Tomorrow is gonna be different. We are in Spain. He’s playing great here.
“I think he won twice already. So yeah, it’s gonna be a nice one. I watched a little bit of the match against Alex. Let’s see how it goes.”
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