INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 10, 2023

Arthur Fils

Press Conference

A. FILS/J. Cerundolo

6-1, 4-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How was the match? How much did you enjoy the Italian crowd today?

ARTHUR FILS: Yeah, so the match was tough, was tough. I played very good in the first set, then he played better. Me, I got some opportunities, but I didn't take it. We went to a third set.

Yes, the crowd help me a lot during the third set. Unbelievable feeling. At 4-All when I was 15-40, it was tough, but then the crowd was like Arthur, Arthur, vamos. My head got like...

I'm really happy with the win. I will try to enjoy more.

Q. We met last year here, and I asked you about Sinner and Alcaraz. You said, It is too early. Is it still too early or are you starting to think about them?

ARTHUR FILS: We can start to think about them, but I'm just 100 now. They are both top 10. Carlos is No. 1. No, we can think about it because, of course, I got a match in two days against Rune.

It's okay. I'm 100. They are top 10. I don't put any pressure on my back.

Q. Do you take inspiration from what they've done? Many years we did not see teenagers in the top 10 or top 5. Does this make you think it's possible?

ARTHUR FILS: Inspiration from them?

Q. Yes.

ARTHUR FILS: I don't take inspiration from them because they are just one year older than me. I cannot take inspiration from them.

What they done is unbelievable. They are playing so good. Carlos won a 1000, won in Madrid like two days ago. It was really good level. He played incredible during the week.

So, no, I don't take inspiration. But what they did, it's really, really good, yeah.

Q. Who do you take inspiration from?

ARTHUR FILS: Federer when he was playing. Now, of course, Nadal and Djokovic.

Q. What about Federer? His style?

ARTHUR FILS: Yeah, his style and his calm on the court was I think something unbelievable. Maybe his forehand, too. He got so good forehand.