Alexander Zverev has expressed high praise for Arthur Fils, saying the young French star has the potential and “power” to compete with top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev’s positive assessment of Fils’ potential adds to the growing excitement around the Frenchman, who has enjoyed a breakout season and rapidly climbed the ATP rankings to reach No. 20. Fils’ progress has been impressive, with two ATP 500 titles to his name in 2024, and many believe he has the skill set to become a leading figure in tennis.
Zverev, currently ranked World No. 3, faced Fils in a hard-fought match on Thursday at the Paris Masters, where he emerged victorious after a three-set battle, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. It wasn’t the first time the two players met this season, as they also clashed in Halle and Hamburg earlier this year. In Halle, Zverev narrowly won in three sets, but Fils took revenge in Hamburg by defeating the German and clinching his first ATP 500 title. Zverev, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, has consistently shown respect for Fils’ talent, but his comments following their recent Paris match showcased his genuine belief in the young player’s potential.
“He undoubtedly has the game [to reach the Top 10],” Zverev told French publication *L’Equipe* after his win. “He has incredible power, like very few players have. Maybe Sinner, Alcaraz, me when I play well. Otherwise, I don’t see who else has such power.” Zverev’s comparison places Fils in the company of some of the sport’s most promising and physically dominant talents, underscoring his belief that Fils could become a significant force on the ATP Tour.
While Fils has demonstrated impressive power and athleticism, Zverev acknowledged that the young Frenchman will need to continue developing his skills and learning how to harness his potential fully. “It’s a question of development, of exploiting his potential,” Zverev added. “I think he can even be better than the top 10.” Zverev’s praise highlights both Fils’ current strengths and the exciting possibilities of what he could achieve with continued hard work and experience.
Fils’ potential is also evident to others in the tennis world, including Ivan Ljubicic, a former World No. 3 and one-time coach to Roger Federer, who now collaborates with the French Tennis Federation. Ljubicic has closely monitored Fils’ development and believes that his focus and maturity on the court have improved significantly over the past year. Ljubicic specifically noted Fils’ newfound composure during tense moments in matches, highlighting how his calmness and decision-making abilities have advanced.
“The season has been super positive,” Ljubicic commented. “He has made a lot of progress, particularly in his ability to stay focused and not panic in the hot moments. If we look at Arthur Fils from last year and Arthur Fils from this year, that’s the main difference.” According to Ljubicic, one of Fils’ most noticeable improvements has been his serve. His ability to maintain a high-level performance throughout matches and his capacity to adjust his tactics when necessary have been crucial to his success in 2024. “The serve is probably where he has progressed the most. But he has also progressed a lot in his understanding of how to win a very high-level match: when to hit, when to attack, when to defend, when to play.”
As Fils wraps up his season, his efforts have clearly paid off. With two ATP 500 titles, one in Hamburg and another in Tokyo, and a career-high ranking, he is positioned to close out the year on a high note. While his loss to Zverev at the Paris Masters marked the end of his season, he expressed a desire for more, noting areas for improvement despite his accomplishments. Reflecting on his journey this year, Fils acknowledged both his growth and his ambition for greater success.
“A positive year, a great year,” Fils said after his defeat to Zverev. “I could have done better, I wanted to do better, but given my start to the season, I did not expect to finish the year with two 500s and my best ranking.” His remarks convey both satisfaction with his accomplishments and a strong drive to continue improving and competing at the highest levels.
As the French star looks to build on his successes from 2024, the admiration from seasoned players and tennis veterans alike underscores the potential he holds. At just 20 years old, Fils has demonstrated the power, skill, and mental fortitude necessary to compete with the best. With figures like Zverev and Ljubicic backing his future, Arthur Fils could be poised to make an even bigger impact on the ATP Tour in the coming seasons.