Arthur Fils’ Jannik Sinner reality check: ‘Great tennis isn’t enough’ | ATP Tour

Match Reaction

Fils’ Sinner reality verify: ‘Great tennis isn’t sufficient’

Italian defeated Frenchman 6-2, 6-4

May 01, 2026

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner ended Arthur Fils‘ nine-match successful streak on Friday afternoon on the Mutua Madrid Open. Afterward, the Frenchman revealed why it’s so tough to beat the Italian, who’s now only one victory from turning into the primary participant to seize 5 consecutive ATP Masters 1000 crowns in collection historical past (since 1990).

“He’s a great champion,” Fils mentioned of Sinner in his post-match press convention. “He hasn’t misplaced one match since Indian Wells. He’s taking part in nice, a number of confidence. He hit the ball fairly clear from each side, and he was serving very effectively.

“The first set was superb for him and a bit robust for me. I needed to get used to his ball pace. It’s completely different once you play for a full match. I performed some nice, nice opponents, nevertheless it’s nonetheless completely different [against Sinner]. When I’m stepping on the courtroom in opposition to him, I really feel like I play nice tennis, nevertheless it’s not sufficient.”

Fils struggled to impression Sinner on serve all through the 87-minute conflict, highlighting the 24-year-old’s aggressive return place as an element. The 21-year-old made simply 49 per cent of his first serves and was damaged thrice.

“It puts more pressure on when the guy steps in,” Fils mentioned. “It depends on the guy, but [Sinner] especially. It didn’t really bother me on my second serve. That was quite OK. It was more the first served. The second serve he was stepping in, but I was not hitting double faults. It was just the first serve. I was trying to go for too much because I wanted to have easy points. Against those players, the top, top, top, best players in the world, easy points are not coming.”

Fils has jumped eight spots to No. 17 within the PIF ATP Live Rankings after reaching his second Masters 1000 semi-final. The former World No. 14 final 12 months suffered a again damage, which saved him out for eight months earlier than returning to motion in Montpellier in February.

Fils has since lifted the trophy in Barcelona, ​​reached the ultimate in Doha, semi-finals in Miami and quarter-finals in Indian Wells. The four-time titlelist praised coaches Ivan Cinkus and Goran Ivanisevic.

“We are doing a great job. I think with Goran, he’s helping me a lot with his experience,” Fils mentioned of the Croatian, who joined the workforce in the beginning of this 12 months. “I did one hell of a job with Ivan [Cinkus] as well, and they are close friends, so it’s pretty easy to work with both of them. Since Goran arrived, I have another way to see things. It’s pretty good. “I’m working very good with them both.”

Sinner leads Fils 2-0 within the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Headvert collection. Their earlier assembly was in Montpellier in 2023.