Arthur Fils: "I arrive with more experience and freshness, but without pressure".
Arthur Fils arrives at Paris-Bercy with a new status this year, after a string of matches and good performances in recent weeks. A title in Tokyo (ATP 500), a semi-final in Basel (ATP 500) and a first appearance in the Top 20 of the ATP rankings.
The native of the Paris suburb of Évry-Courcouronnes could be feeling the pressure of rising expectations from the French public, but that's not the case. Especially as he still feels physically fresh despite the length of the season and the succession of matches. That's what he told us in a press conference.
Arthur Fils: "I'm focused. I hope it will be a great Rolex Paris Masters. Last year, when I arrived, I was pretty tired. It was difficult (defeat in the 1st round). It was complicated. But this year, I'm more experienced, so I feel fresher and I hope things will go better. [...]
I still feel good (physically). As I often say, I'm young (20) so I can play a lot of matches. I played four matches last week (in Basel). I haven't played any long games, so everything's fine. I'm ready to play. [...]
My new status doesn't change anything. I could be in the top 20, the top 50, the top 15, it wouldn't change a thing. I'm in the same frame of mind. This tournament is huge. I'm delighted to be here. I'm trying to play in Paris as I would in Tokyo. I don't feel any pressure, nothing different."
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