ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

October 31, 2024

Arthur Fils

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/A. Fils

6-4, 3-6, 6-3

(In French.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I guess you must feel somewhat frustrated. The first set you really played well. You had the upper hand, and then it changed. I guess you have some regrets?

ARTHUR FILS: Yes, it was a bit of a complicated match. In the beginning I was managing my serve rather well, but then, afterwards, when we were 4-All, I really had a lot of direct faults.

It's a pity I didn't get the first set, because if you're 1-0, it makes a difference. So I lost the first set, but then I had to refocus. I could win the second and then worry him in the third, but that's what happens.

Q. How difficult is it to return Zverev, especially when he's very stable?

ARTHUR FILS: He's very tall, so it comes from very high. It comes very strongly. So you try to anticipate a little bit, to understand what he's doing, but obviously indoors it's different than being on clay.

If you're not on the track of the ball, you can't return it. If you're on it, it's difficult to control. So this is what makes him one of the best servers. That's the way I see him.

Q. I wanted to know if you had finished your season with this match? And whatever the answer, what lessons do you draw from this season with two titles in ATP 500s?

ARTHUR FILS: Well, it's a bit of a mixed lesson. I had a first part of the season which was complicated. I was training well, but I wasn't winning much. I wasn't at my best.

Then things came unblocked. I knew I was doing things better at least when I was training, and it ended up paying in the matches. But as I said, the beginning of the season was complicated, but I'm happy with the way I'm finishing the season since Wimbledon.

I didn't play well in the American tour, but things happen. You have to draw the positive points from the season, and I end up with a better ranking. So it's great.

Q. Do you go to Metz or are you going to stop?

ARTHUR FILS: Did you see me on the list? I didn't ask for a wildcard, so...

Q. I wanted to know, I know it's journalistic jargon, but some defeats are encouraging. Would you say this is one? And other points, you say they're lousy. Were you talking about the balls, really, when you said they're lousy?

ARTHUR FILS: I don't remember what I was talking about. As for the encouraging defeat, I don't know. You always have to draw whatever positive points you can.

I have been playing better for the past four or five months. I know I can be a concern for very good players, and I can go and win tournaments, so it's encouraging.

But it hurts to lose, but the more hurt you are, the better. It's going to serve me in the future.

Q. We talked about 2024. Let's talk about 2025. Can you tell us a little bit how the interseason is going to take place? And how far do you want to go?

ARTHUR FILS: Would you let me get some time off from tennis? I don't know. I didn't talk about it with my team. I hope to get an even better ranking next season.

If I can continue winning titles, I'm not going to say no, but I'll continue working hard. In terms of pure results, I don't know. We didn't talk about it yet. You'll have to ask me the question at the beginning of 2025.