ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 8, 2025

Arthur Fils

Press Conference

A. FILS/T. Griekspoor

6-7, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. It's about your next opponent. It's going to be Flavio Cobolli. What's your thoughts about the match? It's an Italian.

ARTHUR FILS: Yeah, I played against Italian last year, I'm going to play against Italian this year, we are playing in Italy (smiling).

No, he's a great player. He won in Bucharest playing some great tennis. Today he played some amazing tennis again. It's not going to be an easy match, but I think that I'm playing pretty good now. Especially my third set was good.

I think we're going to have a good battle. Let's see who is winning (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. If you like a long match on clay, you must be satisfied?

ARTHUR FILS: For sure it was going to be three sets. These matches are always complicated when we play each other. After losing the first, I thought, well, this is clay, I have to be ready to play three hours. I didn't play three hours, but almost. It's good to have complicated matches at first so you can get into it.

Q. You didn't play well the first set.

ARTHUR FILS: Yes, indeed, I didn't play well. Even worse at the tiebreaker. There is not much to say about this first set. I had many opportunities. I think I only converted 1 out of 14 breakpoints, so it's not great.

Well, the good thing is I had those breakpoints, but I didn't convert them. In the end, it turned out in my favor.

Q. It seems after the United States that you're able to manage the frustration a lot better.

ARTHUR FILS: Yes, I was a bit frustrated at the end of the first set. Yes, I can manage this better. I would have preferred to say nothing at the end of the first set. Well, never mind. I was a bit frustrated, but I was able to relax after that and start off the second set better.

Q. On clay, is the clay here a bit faster than some hard courts? Isn't it better for your game?

ARTHUR FILS: Well, he made me run a lot, but I like clay. Often the bounce is high enough at the level of my shoulders, so I can hit hard. I was able to find my pace on the backhand, too. I think for aggressive players clay is good.

Q. You were able also to defend well on your forehand, sliding.

ARTHUR FILS: Well, I practiced three, four days before Monte-Carlo. It's not that long, but I always feel well defending, and I know on my forehand I can defend well on clay.

I don't always make this shot perfect, but I like it.