Jaume Munar Accuses Arthur Fils of Faking Injury Against him During Roland Garros Encounter

Jaume Munar lost in the second round to Arthur Fils at Roland Garros in a five-set thriller.

Jaume Munar Accuses Arthur Fils of Faking Injury Against him During Roland Garros Encounter

Jaume Munar and Arthur Fils (via Independent)

Arthur Fils, a promising talent in French tennis, found himself at the heart of a controversy during this year’s French Open. After defeating Jaume Munar in a five-set battle, the 20-year-old advanced to the third round at Roland Garros. However, his opponent questioned the nature of Fils’ back injury that emerged during the match.

Despite appearing to struggle physically, Fils managed to stage a comeback and close out the final set. Munar cast doubt on the seriousness of the injury, suggesting it may have been exaggerated or used to disrupt the rhythm of the match. His comments sparked discussions among fans and analysts. Munar said in his Roland Garros press conference:

He was attended by the doctor due to an alleged back injury, but I am convinced what he suffered were cramps. In that case, he couldn't have been attended. The break didn’t bother me, but that's the way it is. If you have a real injury, you don't play the fifth set like he did...Additionally, I saw him drinking pickle juice in the last sets, so it's clear what happened.

The incident raised concerns about the line between gamesmanship and genuine physical issues in tennis. Some have started questioning whether players may be using physical ailments to gain a mental edge during high-pressure matches, casting a shadow over the sport’s competitive spirit.

As the tournament progresses, attention remains fixed on Fils and how he responds to the criticism. His next performances could either solidify his status as a rising star or further fuel the debate about what really happened on the court that day.

Arthur Fils overcomes injury to reach Roland Garros third round

French tennis star Arthur Fils delivered one of the most thrilling matches of this year’s Roland Garros on Thursday. With strong backing from the home crowd, the Frenchman battled past Jaume Munar in a dramatic five-set clash. Despite physical struggles, Fils found a way to reach the third round for the first time at a Grand Slam.

Arthur Fils (3)
Arthur Fils (Image via X/Miami Open)

Fils took control early in the match, winning two close tie-breaks to grab a two-set lead. But a back injury in the third set began to affect his movement. As Munar stormed through the next two sets, it seemed like the match was slipping away from the French No. 1.

In the final set, Fils found himself down a break and clearly in pain. However, he responded with fearless shot-making and refused to back down. He fought his way back to regain the lead, pushing through discomfort to edge out a 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 0-6, 6-4 win after four hours and 25 minutes.

The victory sparked wild celebrations as Fils tore off his shirt and soaked in the loud cheers from the crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The 20-year-old now holds a 2-0 record over Munar and has won three of his four five-set matches in Grand Slams. He will now face Andrey Rublev in the third round.

Jaume Munar blasts French Open crowd

Jaume Munar expressed his frustration with the atmosphere created by the French Open crowd following his five-set loss to Arthur Fils. The Spaniard criticized the fans on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, calling the environment a “circus” and accusing spectators of showing no respect during key moments of the match:

Look, I'm going to be very sincere. I find it perfect if they cheer for the other player; I'm very used to that and it doesn't bother me. What is an absolute lack of respect is not stopping singing, shouting nonsense, and constantly interrupting because it prevents the game from progressing and unfolding normally...It's the most annoying and fanatic crowd in the world, the flag weighs too much here.
Jaume Munar
Jaume Munar (via Tennis Majors)

Munar had mounted an impressive comeback after dropping the first two sets in tiebreaks. He dominated the next two sets, taking full advantage of Fils’ back injury. However, the home crowd rallied behind Fils, who dug deep to turn the final set around despite being a break down.

During the tense final game, Munar asked the crowd to quiet down as he tried to serve to stay in the match. The noise and energy from the stands remained high, creating a charged atmosphere as Fils pushed for victory.

Fils overcame the pain to clinch the win in just over four hours. The Frenchman celebrated by removing his shirt and soaking in the applause from the passionate crowd. Munar, though, left the court clearly disheartened by the way the fans had behaved throughout the contest.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Refutes Jaume Munar’s Comments by Acknowledging ‘Respectful’ French Crowds