Fils the showstopper earning his stripes

As one of the most electrifying prospects on the ATP Tour, Arthur Fils relishes making people smile with his captivating tennis.

The louder and more explosive the rallies or shotmaking become in his matches, the more the Frenchman rises to the occasion, with plenty of swagger, on the big stage.

Fils this week returns to the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open off the back of another banner season, which included two ATP 500 title runs in Hamburg and Tokyo, respectively. In Germany in July, Fils remarkably fended off 21 of 22 break points to prevail against home favourite Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(1) in an absorbing three-and-a-half-hour marathon final.

Over to Japan in October and Fils dismissed four Top 20 stars to lift his third tour-level crown. Top seed Taylor Fritz, defending champion Ben Shelton, Holger Rune and compatriot Ugo Humbert all fell to his power. In the final, Fils saved championship point to down Humbert, while against Shelton there was a lung-bursting rally which floored both men.

It was further proof, if needed, that Fils is some showstopper.

"It feels amazing to be in these moments," said the 20-year-old Parisian this week in Hong Kong. "Of course I'm playing tennis for this as well as winning. I'm also playing tennis to have fun, to enjoy my time on the court. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.

"I try to make all the crowd happy to watch me play. When there are big matches, that's when you get these atmospheres. I'm very happy to show my true self in these kinds of matches."

Away from the spotlight the Frenchman continues to graft, building the platform to become one of the game’s greats.

Rewind to Hong Kong a year ago, when his coach (and former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings) Sebastian Grosjean said: "I like the personality, the potential, the desire to get better. He's the type of personality that is good for the game. He is determined to be the best he can be."

That desire to get better hasn't wilted in the slightest these past 12 months. As a result of his two title lifts, Fils is competing at a career-high No.20 in Hong Kong. He's not preoccupied by his rapid rise or the stats and numbers that come with it. Fils' tight-knit family and team have tuned his tunnel vision.

"I don't feel ahead of schedule, I think I'm just working very hard with the team," said Fils. "Of course, it's good to be Top 20, but if I wasn't, it’s okay. I know that I'm putting in the work, doing the right things and it's all about trusting the process. I just want to keep going."

The current landscape in men's tennis is vibrant, with plenty of players bringing their own take on the sport, their own styles on court, a providing a plethora of personalities.

"It’s so nice to be part of this, to face loads of young guys," mused Fils, the fourth seed in Hong Kong. "During all the year we are trying to play each other, to beat each other, to compete at the very highest level."

In fact, Fils is one of the leading rising stars. He is the youngest man in the Top 40.

"Oh really? I just have to keep working as hard as possible," said Fils, "I know I have to stay focused, also try to enjoy all of it and then the results can come. I cannot see the future, but I have to prepare, to give myself the best chance to be great."

On court on Monday the Frenchman teamed up with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for a commanding 6-2, 6-1 doubles triumph over Spaniards Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar.

"It's very nice to be back on court and back here," said Fils, a quarter-finalist in singles in Hong Kong a year ago. "It's cool, I played some good doubles with a good friend. I'm really happy about the level of play and we had a lot of fun.

"I start singles on Wednesday, I'll of course try my best. Let's see how it goes, but I feel very good."

Story republished with the permission of hkmenstennisopen.com