Next Gen contender hoping for more pre-Slam magic
Next Gen contender Arthur Fils is hoping that he can repeat his Lyon heroics when he makes his Winston-Salem Open debut.
Fils made the most of the pre-Grand Slam tournament in Lyon earlier this season and feels he has a chance to do the same in North Carolina.
That win helped him begin his push towards being a top 50 ranked player.
Fils says that he is just trying to soak in every experience on the US Open swing and make the most of his chances.
“The last time I played the week before a Slam, it was great for me,” Fils told ATPTour.com on Saturday.
“I played in Lyon, and I won [the title] just before Roland Garros. So I want to do the same [in Winston-Salem] just before the US Open. It’s a great tournament. I want to take all the experience I can.”
The Frenchman has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence after starting the year ranked outside the top 250 players in the world.
His rise sees him earn a seeding and first round by at the Winston-Salem Open, a moment that Fils admits brought to bear just what he had achieved this term.
Fils says that while he is a little surprised by his rapid progress he feels that he has worked hard to reach this level.
“A little bit [faster than expected], but it was in my mind for a long time,” said Fils. “Last year, I was playing some Challengers, but I was felt that I had the level for playing some ATP tournaments. And with a good start of the year like [I had], I can dream of big things. So it’s not in my mind that something crazy has happened to me.”
Fils believes that his progress is down to improved movement and a more accurate serve.
“My movement on the court, because I’m moving pretty good now,” said Fils. “Last year it wasn’t that good, but now I’m really happy about it and I would say with my serve too, I improved a lot. I’m trying again and again to improve.”
“If I can be Top 30 in a few months I will be [happy], but I have some good tournaments to play, so let’s see.”
Fils says that at this stage of his career he needs to keep giving his all even when he is training.
“Always keep pushing at training,” said Fils.
“I’m practising with some guys who are like 100 per cent or 150 per cent at training, so I’m trying to do the same to be really good in matches.”
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