Arthur Fils Aims for First Masters 1000 Quarterfinal in Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — French tennis player Arthur Fils, 20, is the last Frenchman standing at the BNP Paribas Open, aiming for his first quarterfinal appearance in a Masters 1000 event. He will face American Marcos Giron on Tuesday as he looks to build on his recent success.

After an early exit at the Australian Open in January, where he had to retire in the third round against fellow countryman Ugo Humbert due to a foot issue, Fils has struggled this season. Ranked 21st in the world, he managed only one victory in his first two ATP tournaments of the year, defeating Constant Lestienne in Rotterdam before falling to Daniel Altmaier. In Dubai, he lost without a fight to Nuno Borges, ranked 38th.

However, Fils has showcased a renewed spirit at Indian Wells. After receiving a first-round bye, he secured a solid victory over lucky loser Gabriel Diallo, ranked 88th, before triumphing in a grueling match against 16th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti.

The young athlete has brought his team, including coach Ivan Finkus, on-site for the tournament. Notably absent is Sebastien Grosjean, the other coach in his corner. Fils’ physical trainer, father, and agent also accompany him as he has developed a personalized training structure since late 2023, following his breakthrough.

“It’s a different mentality. It’s not like the French approach, where you would go through a hundred paths to say something,” Fils said about his work with Finkus, the former coach of Marin Cilic. “If he thinks I’m playing poorly, he’ll tell me, and he’ll be right.”

Fils has also embraced a rigorous training regimen under Finkus, which emphasizes repetition and mastery of specific shots. He observed, “I’m really enjoying this method. It’s not easy, but that’s why he is here coaching me.”

During his matches, the support of his team is vital, according to his agent, Philippe Weiss, who noted the importance of teamwork. However, Fils values independence as well, often opting for quiet dinners with friends, like fellow player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

After his third-round victory against Musetti, Fils expressed his excitement about playing in a lively atmosphere. He had saved a match point with poise, contributing to what he described as a thrilling contest. “Ivan and I talked about seeking points without playing defensively,” he remarked. “I’m happy I saved the match point that way. I may have missed other shots, but I had the right intention.”

Entering the tournament as the 21st player in the world, Fils is set to become the top-ranked French player, a distinction he finds encouraging but not his main goal. “Being number one in France is nice, but it’s not my primary focus. It just means I’m continuing to improve,” he explained.

His opponent in the round of 16, Marcos Giron, currently ranked 48th, is a formidable competitor. Fils warned not to underestimate Giron, who has previously defeated top players like Casper Ruud and Alexei Popyrin, stating, “He’s a good battler, and being at home won’t make it easy for me.”