Fils is back five months later: "I can't tell myself that I will never have back pain again"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 2 Feb 2026 | 17.15

Son is back five months later: "I can't tell myself that I will never have back pain again." Photo: Gettyimages

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Arthur Fils begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The French tennis player, who has been battling against his back since the end of May due to a stress fracture in a vertebra, seems ready to return to the circuit. After a failed attempt at the ATP Canada in August, the Frenchman wants to make a comeback and starts his 2026 season at the ATP Montpellier.

Last year, the Frenchman had a successful clay court season, reaching the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo and the semifinals in Barcelona until, in Roland Garros, after an epic five-set match against Jaume Munar, his back gave in. What started as minor back discomfort led him to withdraw from the tournament, and what was initially a one-month break kept getting longer.

His rushed return in August took a toll; his body was not yet ready, and since then, he has not played in any official tournaments. His aim was to return at the Australian Open, but he didn't want to repeat past mistakes. Now, during this European indoor circuit in February, he will debut at the ATP Montpellier. Speaking about his current condition, the severity of the injury, and his outlook on the discomfort, he addressed these topics during the 'Media Day' of the French tournament, as reported by Univers Tennis.

Arthur Fils Eager for 2026 ATP Montpellier Debut

"It's been a while since I last competed, so returning to the circuit is great. I feel a lot of joy and happiness. I'm very excited to be back on the courts with so many fans. It's been a long process. I'm back, so that means everything is positive, both mentally and physically."

Shares the Toughest Moment of the Injury

"Excluding Roland Garros, I think withdrawing from the Paris Masters 1000 was the hardest moment. I was quite calm. No matter what the doctors said, I knew that eventually, I would return and be ready to play at my best level. I've learned this about myself: I'm not a very anxious person."

Notices a Physical and Possibly Tennis Change

"Physically, I must have lost six or seven kilos since Roland Garros. As for what has changed on the court in these almost nine months, you'll see it in my debut on Tuesday."

Aware of the Implications of Such an Injury and Possible Setbacks

"We really did a good job. After that, I can't predict the future; I'm not a fortune-teller. I can't tell myself that I will never have back pain again in my 15-year career. That would be a lie," asserts Arthur Fils before facing Valentin Royer in his debut at the ATP Montpellier.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fils vuelve, pero su calvario continúa: "No puedo decirme a mí mismo que nunca más tendré dolor de espalda"