France has a rich tennis history, producing technically gifted players who have consistently competed at the highest levels. Today, the country boasts ten players in the ATP’s top 100, with Arthur Fils leading the pack as the highest-ranked Frenchman at No. 14.
At just shy of his 21st birthday, Fils is seen as part of a new wave of French talent, alongside Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Hugo Gaston, Ugo Humbert, and Corentin Moutet—all under the age of 26.
The young French star recently participated in a lighthearted challenge with Prime Video Sport France, where he played a ping-pong-style game of choosing between tennis greats. Naturally, the “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic came up as the final contenders.
The game started with Fils selecting between Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro, ultimately picking the Swiss star. He continued to back Wawrinka over notable names like Jannik Sinner and Lleyton Hewitt until facing his compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
In a nod to French pride, Fils chose Tsonga and kept him in contention over Marat Safin and Dominic Thiem. However, when Carlos Alcaraz came into the mix, Fils opted for the current ATP standout. Alcaraz held his spot over Andy Roddick, but the stakes changed when the “Big Three” entered the conversation.
Starting with Roger Federer, Fils selected the Swiss maestro. When it came down to the final choice between Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal, Fils didn’t waver. “Federer, it’s just Roger…” he said, crowning Federer as the greatest of all time.
A bright future for Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils may be young, but he’s already making waves on the ATP circuit. Born on June 12, 2004, Fils has collected three career titles—Lyon in 2023, followed by Hamburg and Tokyo in 2024. His current ranking of No. 14 is the highest of his career thus far.
What sets Fils apart is his versatility across surfaces. While his game is strongest on clay, he’s proven he can deliver on hard courts and grass. At Wimbledon 2024, he reached the fourth round, demonstrating his potential on the sport’s most challenging surfaces.