ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

October 27, 2024

Arthur Fils

Press Conference

(In French.)

THE MODERATOR: Hello, Arthur. Congrats for your results last week. With which mindset are you approaching this tournament?

ARTHUR FILS: I'm focused. It will be a beautiful Rolex Paris Masters hopefully. Last year when I arrived I was quite tired. It was tough. It was complicated. But this year I have more experience, so I feel more fresh and I hope it will be better.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You were talking about how fresh you are. You have been playing a lot recently. How do you feel?

ARTHUR FILS: I feel still good. As I often say, I'm young so I can have a lot of match play. I played four matches last week. I haven't played long matches, so all is good. I'm ready to play on Monday or Tuesday.

Q. You are arriving in Paris with a different status, something you have never known. You're in the top 20 now. You have had a winning streak and you have won a lot of titles. Does it change something?

ARTHUR FILS: No, it doesn't change anything. I could be in the top 20, top 50, top 15, it doesn't change anything. I have the same mindset.

This tournament is a huge tournament. I'm delighted to be here. I'm trying to play in Paris as I would be in Tokyo. I feel no pressure, nothing different.

Q. You played well in Tokyo?

ARTHUR FILS: Yes, it went well.

Q. Giovanni is shining in Basel. You know him very well. How about his progress? Does it surprise you?

ARTHUR FILS: No, it doesn't surprise me at all. We have been practicing a lot together since we are 13 years old. I have always known that he had the makings of a champion. Sometimes you are a late bloomer; sometimes you're not. What happened in Basel is wonderful.

But for him it's normal because he has a lot of potential. We have seen what he could achieve on the court. I wish him the best and even better than that.

Q. His play is difficult for the others?

ARTHUR FILS: Well, if he doesn't miss any serves, it's difficult to break him. It's very difficult to play him, that's for sure.

He's part of the best servers, and he's very good at the baseline. He moves very well on the court, as well. I think and I hope that he will be part of the best of the best.

Q. Bercy is a very peculiar tournament. Sometimes there can be a huge atmosphere. Is it something you're expecting to live, to have a wonderful match with the French crowd?

ARTHUR FILS: Yes, it will be nice. Last year I was tired. It's a pity I didn't have that type of experience, but I hope that this year there will be that type of experience. Even better. It's the last time, you're right, that we're playing in Bercy. Next year it will be at La Defense. It will be nice to finish on a high note.

Q. Are you considering being No. 1 top French player?

ARTHUR FILS: I'm not thinking about it. I could be No. 1, No. 5. It's not important to me.