"It's a great accomplishment, but I don't think it's my final objective" - Only the beginning for Arthur Fils who claps back at critics

Arthur Fils can finally call himself a Masters 1000 champion. It is the biggest title of his career after taking down Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 at the Cincinnati Open. He was adamant that this was just the start of what is set to possibly be a very decorated career by the talented Frenchman.

Fils won 12 of the first 13 points in what was a rapid start against the 2024 runner-up. He dropped just two points on serve enroute to the first set. However, Tiafoe stormed back into the match with a 25-minute blitz in the second set to give Fils something to think about.

While the end result ended heavily in the favour of Fils after that bagel third set, he was not feeling as good at the end of the second set. He needed a reset, and opted to tactically wonder to the bathroom while using his allocated time to clear his head and get back to focusing on the task at hand.

"After the second set, I simply went to the bathroom," he recalled while taking to the media. "I talked to myself in the mirror. I said to myself, 'Come on man, do something, show something.' Because I was really sinking."

This obviously worked a treat as he came back out a new man, winning the next six games to confirm his first ever Masters 1000 title. "I'm very happy with how I played the third set," he said.

It was a much deserved win more ways than another. Fils, who has only played two Grand Slam matches this year, has been struck with injuries at crucial times but still finding a lot of success. His results at Masters 1000 level shows that with incredible consistency.

At Roland Garros last year, a back injury halted his progress with an attempted comeback at the Canadian Open resulting in him not stepping foot onto court until February 2026. Another untimely injury at the Rome Open stopped his incredible form as he was forced to miss his home Grand Slam once more.

However, he seems to be back on the right path after what has been an up and down period. "Last year was difficult. Even this year hasn't been easy with Roland-Garros and a few injuries that kept me off the court."

The lows have been really tough to take for the Frenchman, but once overcome the highs are that extra bit sweeter. Take this Cincinnati Open title. This is Fils 12th Masters 1000 competition participated in from the start of 2025. He had reached the quarter-final stage eight times while losing in the semi-finals twice this year. The 22-year-old finally made the final this time around in Ohio before getting over the line for the biggest title of his career.

"When you get injured, you just think about coming back and experiencing those kinds of moments," he acknowledged. "It feels really good to have a trophy next to me, especially a Masters 1000. I had never won one before. That's why I play tennis."

Fils' potential has been well documented with these deep runs while competing toe to toe with the best players in the world on a regular basis. Injuries have prevented him from speeding up that process, but it does not look like it has dashed his momentum or motivation.

"I knew I could make it. Even when I was injured, absent from the circuit for eight months, then for another two months, I told myself it wasn't a big deal."

His solution was to put the hours in and reap the rewards. "I just had to train a lot, a lot, a lot and maybe I'd get a chance to make it. I've always been very confident about that. And here we are."

All the while, there has been the odd bits of criticism seeping through and bugging Fils as he tries to stay focused on the task at hand. After the win, Fils wrote 'Who's gonna talk now?' on the camera. He did not try to dodge the question when asked about it. "People were speaking very badly. In France, it's sometimes very easy to criticise," he noted. "I didn't play Roland-Garros, I lost early in Washington, and people think I'm finished and that I can't play tennis anymore. But here we are: I won the title. And I think now, nobody's going to talk."

It is something that he also uses as motivation. "I use them as fuel, yes. Either I don't look at them, but if they come before my eyes, then I use them as fuel."

Fils was immensely proud and happy about his title run, a huge breakthrough secured in the process. However, the World No.11 knows that this is just the beginning of where he wants to be. "It's a great accomplishment, but I don't think it's my final objective," he said.

"I'm going to try to win more, to win more titles. I'm going to try to climb the rankings or win even bigger titles. I know it's not easy at all. I have to work very, very hard to achieve it. But I think having one of these trophies at my age is pretty good."

Up next for Fils is the US Open, and it is the perfect time for him to banish his dreadful major luck and underwhelming form at this level with the intention of kicking on and fighting for the silverware. With this ATP draw somewhat wide open thanks to Jannik Sinner's withdrawal, there is a chance for someone to breakthrough and make a statement. Fils is in a very strong positions to do so, and will be one to watch out for as all eyes turn towards New York.