‘Not as Much as Carlos Alcaraz’- Despite a Sensational Year, 19YO French Prodigy Gets Real About His Progress

The 19-year-old French tennis player, Arthur Fils had a stellar season this year. During this breakthrough season, he managed to clinch his first ATP Tour singles title in Lyon Open and reach the finals of the European Open. Recently Fils had also featured in the finals of the Next Gen ATP Finals. Does he look to repeat the heroics of the Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz at the age of 19?

French youngster Arthur Fils makes an honest confession about his targets going forward. He revealed he doesn’t expect to emulate Alcaraz’s feats very quickly even though he has had an astonishing year. Fils is seen as one of the brightest prospects in men’s tennis.

Arthur Fils is optimistic about his success at the top level, but he doesn’t want to rush

Fils entered the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEON with a career-highest ranking of number 36 in men’s singles. The tournament is held for the first time in Saudi Arabia. It was previously held at Milan ever since its inaugural in 2017. The 19-year-old star booked his place in the finals of the tournament by emulating Cristiano Ronaldo‘s famous ‘Siu’ celebration. He made a stellar run to the finals and now he shares how he has been inspired by the rapid rise of the 20-year-old Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz became the world number 1 last year at the age of 19. So, when Arthur Fils was asked if he is looking to follow in the footsteps of current number 2, here’s what he said. ‘What Alcaraz has accomplished is incredible. I don’t know if I can do the same. I will give my best, but that is not my short-term goal. I don’t want to become world number 1 in three months because it’s impossible. I have to work, again and again and see what happens. This will involve daily work and giving my maximum in each match. And maybe one day I’ll be a champion. I hope ! I’m progressing quickly, but not as much as Carlos. What he did is crazy,‘ Arthur Fils.

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Arthur Fils became the youngest French player in almost two decades to win an ATP Title. Despite losing it in the finals of the Next Gen ATP Finals to Hamad Medjedovic, he has managed to close this season by breaking it to the Top 40.

Fils is a work in progress

Arthur Fils had managed to save two match points during his 5-set defeat to the 20-year-old Serbian. Medjedovic defeated Fils by a margin of 3-4(6), 4-1, 4-2, 3-4 (9), 4-1 in a 2 hours 11 minutes encounter. This was the first five-set final in the history of the tournament.

Now, after the disappointing loss on Saturday Fils has decided to stay in the Middle East. Fils is thrilled to get an invitation from the legend of the game, Rafael Nadal to have a practice week at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Kuwait. With an intense schedule knocking on the door in 2024, Fils would surely love it start it with a bang. Can he manage to do it?

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