MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 30, 2026

Arthur Fils

Mixed Zone

A. FILS/J. Lehecka

6-3, 6-4

Q. How were you feeling at the start and how happy were you to make your mark?

ARTHUR FILS: It was pretty funny because I didn't have to time to warm-up in the gym before the match. So that was pretty funny. I step on court and I say, Oof, I'm going to try to be focused on my first game of serve, because otherwise, if I get broken, it was going to go fast. In the end, I start very good, so very happy with the performance. I finish good as well. Last game a bit more tight, but pretty good.

Q. You said on court that you wanted revenge. Some players are like, I don't want to, I'm not thinking about that. How much did that motivate you?

ARTHUR FILS: Me, I think a lot about it. I'm not happy when someone kick my ass. So when I'm stepping on the court after against them I try to be as good as possible and to take my revenge. Today I made it, sometimes I can't, but it's like this. At least I have an extra motivation.

Q. What's the origin of cowboys? Where did you first learn about that?

ARTHUR FILS: Oh, I learned about it on social. So on video, cowboys game. I really enjoyed it, because I think it's kind of the mentality that I want to have. It's like, Okay, out of the court we are all friends, that's not a problem. But when I'm stepping on the court I'm not here to be nice and, yeah, that's it.

Q. What is the feedback, what are you receiving from the narrative in France that you are on the rise?

ARTHUR FILS: I don't even look. I don't even look, to be honest. Because if I start to look at it your head goes everywhere. I just try to don't look at it. I try to be focused. I still have to play here in Madrid, and I have Rome to play, and then more preparation, and maybe a French Open. So I have a lot of time, so I just don't look at it.

Q. Was there a point when you stopped looking at things on social media?

ARTHUR FILS: Oh, it's been, actually it's been since I'm injured. Because when you are injured you get a lot of, I want to say shit, but what's another word?

Q. Criticism?

ARTHUR FILS: Criticism. Bad comments, yes. So I stopped to look at it. Then since then I'm feeling pretty good without it, so I keep the same.

Q. (Question off mic.)

ARTHUR FILS: Yeah, he's a good guy. We are kind of friends. He's playing here, so he texted me if he could come, and I say of course. We're supposed to have dinner this week. I mean, it's pretty nice to be close to other athletes from another sport. Because, you know, we are all tennis players, and we are always together, but when you can open your circle I think it's pretty cool. So very happy that he was here on court with me today, and hopefully he will come for the semifinal.

Q. On the semifinal, how much confidence are you going into that with?

ARTHUR FILS: Well, I didn't lose a match on clay. He didn't lose a match on clay and on hard court since a long time. So I think it's going to be pretty good. He has a lot of confidence. I have a lot of confidence. So I hope it's going to be a good battle, and I just look forward to play.