"I just couldn't take any risks before Roland Garros" - Hip injury for Arthur Fils leaves Roland Garros participation up in the air

Arthur Fils has been one of the most impressive tennis players this year, but his season could have taken a sharp turn for the worse with a retirement at the Rome Open threatening his involvement at Roland Garros.

He lasted just 22 minutes on court against the world number 155 Andrea Pellegrino. He was the heavy favourite to take home the victory, but after falling to a 4-0 deficit, he called it a day. While delight for the Italian and the crowd who see another of their players make strides into the tournament, there is huge concern surrounding the talented Frenchman.

The reason he was forced to retire was due to a hip injury. While many believed the 21-year-old had kickstarted another problem with his back, it was a relief to hear that it was not the issue that had plagued him last season.

After reaching three consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinals along with the semi-final at the Barcelona Open in 2025, Fils was on a roll. He would see his season crash down around him with a devastating back injury worsened at Roland Garros. He sat out the clay swing before attempting a comeback at the Canadian Open. This failed and he would not appear on court until February 2026.

He has shown that last year was no fluke. Reaching the final of the Qatar Open, he backed it up with a quarterfinal and semi-final appearance on the Sunshine swing. Tactically skipping the Monte-Carlo Masters after having played a lot of tennis, Fils won the Barcelona Open title, his first ATP triumph since 2024. He then made it to a second Masters 1000 semi-final, this time in Madrid but could not deal any damage against world number one Jannik Sinner.

His trip to Rome was hotly tipped by many to be another special showing. However, four games into his opening match, that excitement was switched for caution and concern. With Roland Garros just around the corner, it would be a devastating blow if he was to miss it.

Speaking to L'Equipe after the match, it was unveiled that pain in his hip from the second game onwards forced Fils to call it a day. He explained his next steps. "I tried everything during the match. I called the physio to try and treat it, but it didn't work. Unfortunately, I had to stop a little while later. These things happen. I'm going to get treatment, I'm going to talk with the team, we're going to make some decisions. I just couldn't take any risks before Roland Garros. There's no other information I can give."

With Roland Garros starting in only 13 days, it is a very untimely injury which could have consequences for the rest of the season. Fils has competed in his home Grand Slam event three times, losing in the first round twice before making it to the third round after a titanic five-set battle against Jaume Munar amid torrid back pain which forced him to withdraw from his matchup against Rublev. The race is on to be fit enough for Paris.