Arthur Fils Denies Comparison With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after Barcelona Win: “I Can’t Compare Myself”

Arthur Fils beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets to win the Barcelona Open.

Arthur Fils Denies Comparison With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after Barcelona Win: “I Can’t Compare Myself”

Arthur Fils (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis)

In Short
  • Arthur Fils won his first ATP title at the Barcelona Open, defeating Andrey Rublev 6-2, 7-6(2).
  • Fils has risen to No. 25 in the ATP Live Rankings, becoming the top-ranked French player.
  • He emphasized the need for humility and focus, stating he cannot yet compare himself to stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Arthur Fils is officially back in the winner’s circle. The 21-year-old French powerhouse secured his first ATP title since Tokyo 2024 on Sunday, taking down Andrey Rublev in a thrilling 6-2, 7-6(2) victory to claim the Barcelona Open championship.

Fils came out firing, pushing the always-combustible Rublev around the clay with bombastic forehands and surviving a chaotic second-set roller coaster to hoist the ATP 500 trophy. While this victory is a massive stepping stone, Fils is keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground.

When asked by reporters about closing the gap between himself, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, Fils was brutally honest. He said in the press conference:

I don’t know. The last time I played against Carlos, he blew me away. I have to be humble, stay focused on my own path, and concentrate on improving my ranking. They are great champions, and right now I can’t compare myself to them. Maybe someday, but not now.

Alcaraz was notably absent from Barcelona due to a wrist injury. This injury will also keep him out of the Madrid Masters, but Fils knows that to be the best, he eventually has to beat the best.

For now, he is perfectly content building his momentum and establishing himself as a legitimate weekly threat on the Tour. Considering he now has the backing of Goran Ivanisevic, he will now try to elevate himself even further.

The crowning of a new French No. 1

This isn’t just about adding some hardware to the trophy case; this victory completely reshapes the landscape of French tennis. By capturing the crown in Barcelona, Arthur Fils has officially surged four spots to No. 25 in the ATP Live Rankings.

Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils (Image via X/Jose Morgado)

More importantly, he has dethroned Arthur Rinderknech to become the top-ranked Frenchman for the first time since September 2025. It’s a massive psychological boost for a player who has spent the last two years grinding to recapture the magic of his early career, proving that his undeniable raw talent is finally matching his on-court execution.

So, where does the new French No. 1 go from here? With the Madrid Masters looming and his confidence sky-high, Fils is suddenly looking like a very dangerous dark horse as the clay-court season heats up. He had already reached the quarterfinals in his three previous tournaments before this breakthrough in Barcelona, indicating a steady upward trajectory.

The wild ride of the second set

If the fans have ever watched Andrey Rublev play, they know that chaos is a feature, not a bug. After Fils steamrolled through the first set 6-2 by breaking Rublev and dominating baseline rallies, the second set became a test of pure mental fortitude.

Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Fils served for the championship at 5-3 but double-faulted and tightened up, allowing Rublev to break back. In the ensuing game, Fils earned three championship points, only to watch Rublev channel his trademark intensity, reel off five straight points, and level the set at 5-5.

Rublev even managed to break Fils again, taking a 6-5 lead and threatening to push the match into a decisive third set. But just when it looked like the young Frenchman might crumble under the weight of the moment, Fils immediately broke back to force a tiebreak.

Rublev grabbed a quick 2-0 mini-break, but that’s when Fils flipped the switch. The 21-year-old rattled off seven consecutive points, leaving Rublev in the dust and clinching the tiebreak 7-2.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner and Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Spotted Enjoying Scooter Ride in Monaco