For years now, people have been searching to find a player who might be able to add some more variety to the ATP Tour.
After all, it has been totally dominated by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and even now, when the two of them enter an event, it feels like one of them is guaranteed to take home the title.
However, that has sadly not been a possibility this year, with the Spaniard having missed the last three and a half months through injury.
His absence has arguably made men’s tennis even less appealing, even if the unpredictability has increased.
Fortunately, both Danielle Collins and Steve Johnson are confident that they know who will be ready to compete when Alcaraz and Sinner are both back.
Danielle Collins and Steve Johnson have big hopes for Arthur Fils’ future
Speaking to Tennis Channel, both American pundits were full of praise after watching Arthur Fils secure his spot in the Canadian Open Round of 16.
Johnson was first to praise the Frenchman, stating: “He possesses so much firepower off both sides of the ball, forehand, backhand, serve.
Is Arthur Fils the next best player after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
“But for him, it’s been a question of health. He hasn’t been able to kind of play that consistent schedule, but in my opinion, he is somebody that should be a mainstay in the top ten and competing for these big titles week in and week out.”
Collins couldn’t agree more, adding: “I think the way he plays, the athlete that he is, he has every tool to be able to be a top ten player.
“I think the biggest question is the stamina. He covers the court so well, but as he goes deeper into the tournament, sometimes that’s where problems start to show up.”
Goran Ivanisevic has backed Fils to be a top-five player soon, but as his coach, he’s almost obliged to say that.
Johnson, however, completely agrees: “I’m in that camp as well, because he has all the tools, has all the skillset. It feels like he has the mental side of things, as well; when he is out there, he competes extremely well.
“But it is a bit concerning with the back injuries at this young of an age. You’d like to see him just kind of put that aside, have a great season, you know, put that block of work together, and continue to grow, because he is somebody that I want personally, because he is so much fun to watch, to compete with those guys each and every day.”
Back in February, Fils stated what he’s lacking to be able to trouble Alcaraz. It’s fair to say that since then, he’s certainly bridged that gap.
How has Arthur Fils performed this season?
There were fears surrounding Fils heading into this year, given he actually started the year injured.
His crippling back injury, which derailed the bulk of his 2025 campaign, had crept into the new season. As such, he missed the Australian Open, and only played his first competitive match in February.
However, already we were given glimpses of his immense talent, with his run to the final in Qatar in just his third tournament back a startling turn of events.
When do you think Carlos Alcaraz will return to tennis?
Alcaraz has not played since April…
Fils then enjoyed runs to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of Indian Wells and Miami, before shining on the clay as well.
He won the title in Barcelona and reached the semi-finals in Madrid, before his injury flared back up and he had to miss Roland Garros again.
This again impacted his grass-court season, but he seems back to his best once again here in Montreal.
With no Alcaraz, Sinner or Novak Djokovic in the draw, a huge opportunity has presented itself for someone like Fils to take advantage of.
