Son wakes up, requests entry into the circuit, and aims for the Paris Olympic Games

Andrés Tomás Rico | 21 Jul 2024 | 20.57

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Arthur Fils, the new jewel and great promise of French tennis. The one who succumbed to pressure at the beginning of the season after a dazzling breakthrough where all eyes were on him. But the 20-year-old took time to process the fame and expectations. He even parted ways with his coach, Sergi Bruguera, after falling in the first round of Roland Garros 2024. Since then, a different face, a different player. And Alexander Zverev feels it, relinquishing the throne of ATP Hamburg after an epic three-set final. With this win, Fils enters the ranks of the top 20 tennis players in the world (19th), becoming the fourth youngest Frenchman to achieve this feat. It took some time to get going, but Fils has now shifted into high gear.

The French tennis player has everything it takes to have a successful career in the tennis world. Others, like Zverev, go further: “He has the potential to become the best player in the world”, asserted the German before the final. And indeed, his aggressive and intense style of play fits perfectly on clay courts, with a strong forehand and serve, making him a player capable of beating anyone. Furthermore, he seems to have added a certain finesse to his game.

- The champion in Hamburg

These tennis arguments finally seem to be valid as he claims the title in Hamburg after a great week where he overcame all obstacles. He came from behind in his debut against Jaume Munar (5-7, 6-3, 6-1), dominated Laslo Djere (7-6(3), 6-2), caused an upset by eliminating Holger Rune (6-4, 4-1 ret), overwhelmed Sebastian Baez (6-2, 6-2), and managed to handle the pressure against the champion Alexander Zverev (6-3, 3-6, 7-6(1)).

“Thank you for the support throughout the match. The atmosphere was incredible. Many thanks to everyone who came to watch the final. I know it was a tough, long, and intense battle. We played a great match,” expressed the Frenchman to the crowd in Hamburg, then praising Zverev: “Sascha is a great champion. He is an incredible champion who plays incredible tennis. I knew from the start it wouldn’t be easy. I've been practicing for these kinds of moments for a long time,” stated the new world number 19.

- Since parting ways with Bruguera, he took a step forward

“Thanks also to my team. We have done a great job from the beginning of the year until now. This title is for me, but also for you,” he confessed during the trophy ceremony. The Frenchman has experienced a season full of ups and downs. Despite his partnership with Sergi Bruguera and the potential that Fils began to show on the circuit, the results weren't coming, and the pressure was mounting. He even won the Bordeaux Challenger before Roland Garros, but after an early exit at the French Grand Slam, where there were high hopes pinned on him, he decided to part ways with the Spanish coach.

From that point on, the French tennis player exhibited a style of play that had been hidden for a while. It also coincided with the grass court season where his aggressive play is more challenging to counter, allowing him to reach the quarterfinals of Halle and the Wimbledon round of 16 by defeating players like Hubert Hurkacz along the way. Returning to clay, the tennis displayed on grass stayed to earn him his second ATP title.

This trophy and streak could not have come at a better time for the Frenchman; less than a week before the Olympic Games where he will be one of the representatives of the host country alongside Gael Monfils, Ugo Humbert, and Corentin Moutet. The Olympic event will be a golden opportunity to see where Fils truly stands and how far he is from the top players dominating the Top 10. Another week like the one in Hamburg could see the Metz native striving for major achievements. It remains to be seen if this time he can handle the pressure of being the hope of French tennis in the present and future.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fils despierta, pide paso en el circuito y apunta a los Juegos Olímpicos de París