“Starting to play at my best” – Fils signals elite ambitions with Halys win and Ivanisevic appointment
Arthur Fils edged out Quentin Halys 6-1, 7-6(7) with the bombshell announcement that he has hired coaching legend Goran Ivanisevic.
Arthur Fils, Doha 2026 | © Qatar Exxson Mobil Open
Arthur Fils moved closer to reclaiming his place among the elite this Wednesday, following up a disciplined victory over Quentin Halys with the bombshell announcement that he has hired coaching legend Goran Ivanisevic.
The 21-year-old Frenchman reached the quarterfinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open by defeating his compatriot Halys 6-1, 7-6(7). The win was a testament to Fils’ growing maturity and tactical discipline, especially following a grueling first-round comeback against Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, whom he defeated 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 on Monday. Against Halys, Fils dominated the opening set in just 28 minutes before navigating a high-pressure second set where his opponent’s serve became a formidable obstacle.
“maybe the best for me” : Fils on Ivanisevic
“Honestly, it was a good match against Quentin,” Fils reflected after the win. “The first set was a bit one-sided; I played well. Then after that, in the second, it was a big fight. I expected that anyway. Quentin is a great player, especially a very good server. I knew I would play at least one tie-break during the match, so let’s just say I was ready. It could have gone his way, it could have gone mine, but I’m happy with the performance.”
The headlines, however, were stolen by the presence of a new face in the player’s box. Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion and former mentor to Novak Djokovic, has officially joined the Fils camp. The partnership marks a significant investment in Fils’ development as he continues his “Renaissance” season after a stress fracture in his back sidelined him for much of 2025.
“Hell of a champion, winner of a Slam, and he coached a lot of guys, a lot of champions actually,” Fils said of the Croatian legend. “He’s helping me during the season. We are going to try it out, but I think it’s good for me. It’s maybe the best for me to have his experience as a coach and as a player. So very, very happy that he joined us during this long journey.”
Lehecka next
Fils, currently ranked world No 40, emphasized that his physical condition is finally matching his mental grit. After losing six kilograms during his injury layoff to reduce strain on his back, the Frenchman feels he is nearing his peak level. “I think I’m starting to play at my best level. I’ve played much better before, of course, but now, since Montpellier, Rotterdam, and here, I feel very good. Physically, for now, it’s holding up. Everything is fine, so we continue. You have to be intelligent and not push too hard, but for now, it’s positive.”
The Frenchman will look to validate this new partnership on Thursday in a quarterfinal clash against the eighth seed, Jiri Lehecka and, who knows, a semifinal against Jannik Sinner.
