Arthur Fils Admits His Tennis is ‘Harmful’ for His Body: “Have to Find Solutions”

Jiri Lehecka, before scheduling his career's fourth match against Jannik Sinner, tied his head-to-head record over Arthur Fils to 2-2.

Arthur Fils Admits His Tennis is ‘Harmful’ for His Body: “Have to Find Solutions”

Arthur Fils (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

In Short
  • Arthur Fils lost to Jiri Lehecka in the semifinals of the Miami Open, marking his first Masters 1000 semifinal.
  • Fils expressed concerns about the harmful effects of his playing style on his body and emphasized the need for solutions.
  • He aims to improve his performance consistency and compete in more quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals moving forward.

Arthur Fils lost to Jiri Lehecka at the Miami Open in a convincing fashion in what was also his career’s first semifinal in a Masters 1000 event. Fils was bidding to reach his second final of the season after the Qatar Open, where World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz dismantled him in straight sets.

It was his first tour-level final since the 2024 Japan Open in October. After his latest exit, Fils, who is now working under Novak Djokovic‘s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, sat for an interview with L’Equipe during which he expressed his concerns about the harm his playing style is causing his body.

I need a lot of energy to play at my best level. I have to analyze ways to change that because it harms me when playing multiple matches in a row. We have to find solutions because I wouldn’t want to change my playing style.

Before this season, he played four quarterfinals in Masters 1000s, including at the Miami Open last year. Next is the clay swing, and Fils has so far won two titles on the surface: the 2023 Lyon Open by defeating Francisco Cerundolo and the 2024 Hamburg Open against Alexander Zverev.

Last year on the clay swing, the 21-year-old lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spaniard, before losing to Holger Rune in the final, downed Fils in the semifinals of the Barcelona Open.

At the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, he lost to Francisco Comesana in the second round and to Zverev in the fourth round, respectively. An injury forced the Frenchman to hand the walkover to Andrey Rublev in the third round, which forced him to stay on the sidelines for eight months (he tried to make his comeback in August but failed to do much) and had skipped the events in Australia this year, including the first Major of the season.

Arthur Fils analyzes his match against Jiri Lehecka

After two easy wins in the early rounds of the Miami Open, including a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, Arthur Fils overcame a set deficit to end reigning Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot‘s run in the fourth round.

Jiri Lehecka (via X/Jose Morgado)
Jiri Lehecka (via X/Jose Morgado)

Fils then played a thrilling three-setter against home favorite Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals before he suffered a quick 6-2, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Jiri Lehecka in the semifinals. The victory helped the Czech ace tie the head-to-head record to 2-2.

I’m a little disappointed with today’s loss, but there are still positive aspects. Jiri played very well today. He is a very, very good player. He served well, and I struggled to find my rhythm. I was a little discouraged.

Arthur Fils said at the press conference

Lehecka will be playing his first final in a Masters 1000 tournament. Before this season, he made the semifinals at this level just once, at the 2024 Madrid Open.

I need to find solutions to win even when I’m not at my best. To make matches tougher for the opponent and not lose so quickly. I need to play more quarterfinals, more semifinals, more finals to find that balance. It’s not easy, but I will definitely achieve it. When I’m at 100%, I can play excellent tennis.

Arthur Fils added

While Fils will now be gearing up for the clay swing, Lehecka will be facing the toughest challenge of this tournament in the final. He will be up against none other than Jannik Sinner, who is one match win away from completing the Sunshine Doubles.

Sinner, who will be playing his fourth final in the tournament, downed Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. The four-time Grand Slam champion lifted the Miami Open for the first time in 2024.

Also read: Goran Ivanisevic Speaks on the Lack of Finals Between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026