Arthur Fils admitted it was a good feeling to answer back at critics back in France after winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.
The breakthrough of Arthur Fils is finally here. The Frenchman claimed his first Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.
It was a 6-3 1-6 6-0 victory over Frances Tiafoe which saw Fils achieve his breakthrough achievement in his second ever Masters 1000 final.
After the match Fils was happy with the achievement after a tough year and praised his inner belief as he finally produced the big breakthrough in his career, “I’m very happy with that. It’s been a tough year last year, I mean, even though this year as well was not easy with the French Open and with a couple of injuries that kept me away from the court,” Fils said in his post-match press conference.
“But, you know, when you get injured you just think about coming back for these moments. Feels very good to have a trophy next to me, especially Masters 1000. Never won one before, so yeah, that’s why I play tennis.
“I mean, I knew I could make it, even though I was injured, out of the tour for eight months, then out of the tour again for two months, but I said it’s OK. I mean, I just have to practice a lot, lot, lot, and maybe I’m going to have one occasion to make it. And I was always very confident with that. And here we are.”
It’s been a tough couple of years for Fils who has had big setbacks on home soil at Roland Garros for two years in a row.
Despite some really good results, Fils has struggled at some big tournaments which has led to some really harsh criticism from critics back in France.
After his title win Fils wrote on the camera ‘Who’s going to talk now?’ After the match Fils expanded on answering his critics in the best possible way which added fuel to the fire, “Because people are talking very bad,” Fils explained his actions on-court.
“You know, in France, it’s very easy sometimes to have the, I don’t have the nice word, I have a bad word. OK Criticise. It’s very easy to criticise, and I didn’t play the French Open. I lost early in Washington, and then people think that I’m done, and I don’t know how to play tennis. But here we are, I got the title, and I think no one’s going to talk now.
“I use it as fuel. Yes. Either I don’t look at it, but if it comes to my eyes, then I use it as fuel. I’m like, OK, let’s see in the next weeks. For sure, I know I’m going to be able to play very good again, and then let’s see if they’re going to say the same. But yeah, use it as fuel, like you said.”
After some big mental setbacks at tournaments Fils has now shown he is capable of winning big titles and turning up when it matters most, “It says that I’m able to win those kind of titles,” Fils concluded his press conference by saying.
“Of course, it’s a big title, but like I said, it’s a big achievement. But I think it’s not my end goal. I’m going to try to win more of them, more titles. I’m going to try to be higher in the ranking, or try to win some bigger title. I mean, I know it’s not easy at all. I have to work a lot, a lot, a lot to be able to make it. But I think to have one of those at my edge, it’s pretty good.”
Fils will aim to continue his momentum when he plays the US Open which starts on the 30th of August.
