Will Lightning Strike Twice For Fils On Winston-Salem Debut?

Arthur Fils will compete for the first time this week at the Winston-Salem Open, where he hopes a happy experience from earlier this year will benefit him at the hard-court ATP 250.

“The last time I played the week before a Slam, it was great for me,” Fils told ATPTour.com on Saturday. “I played in Lyon, and I won [the title] just before Roland Garros. So I want to do the same [in Winston-Salem] just before the US Open. It’s a great tournament. I want to take all the experience I can.”

The #NextGenATP Frenchman has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough year on the ATP Tour. After starting 2023 at No. 251 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, the 19-year-old will step on court against Brandon Nakashima or Jason Kubler at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex at a career-high No. 46. Has the speed of his rise taken the 19-year-old, seeded seventh in North Carolina, by surprise?

“A little bit [faster than expected], but it was in my mind for a long time,” said Fils. “Last year, I was playing some Challengers, but I was felt that I had the level for playing some ATP tournaments. And with a good start of the year like [I had], I can dream of big things. So it’s not in my mind that something crazy has happened to me.”

As well as claiming his maiden ATP Tour crown on the Lyon clay, Fils has reached semi-finals in Montpellier, Marseille and Hamburg this year. He is clear about the specific improvements in his game that have powered his improved results.

“My movement on the court, because I’m moving pretty good now,” said Fils. “Last year it wasn’t that good, but now I’m really happy about it and I would say with my serve too, I improved a lot. I’m trying again and again to improve.”

“If I can be Top 30 in a few months I will be [happy], but I have some good tournaments to play, so let’s see.”

Fils has put himself in a good position to qualify for the season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals for the first time. The Frenchman is currently fourth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race, but he is not resting on his laurels as he looks to establish himself in the Top 50.

“Always keep pushing at training,” said Fils, when asked about the biggest lesson he had learned from his short career on Tour so far. “I’m practising with some guys who are like 100 per cent or 150 per cent at training, so I’m trying to do the same to be really good in matches.”