"I've had a good year": Arthur Fils left satisfied with 2023 season despite Next Gen defeat after remarkable rise

Young French tennis player Arthur Fils has stated that he is satisfied with his performance in 2023 despite ending the year with a massive heartbreak.

The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the most highly-rated up-and-coming tennis players in the men’s singles category. He showcased his skill in the recently concluded Next Gen ATP Finals event where he played in the final of the event.

However, he ended up on the losing side to Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic in a five-set thriller with a score of 3-4, 4-1, 4-2, 3-4, 4-1. Fils was quoted in a report where he stated that despite suffering the defeat, he is very satisfied with his overall performance this year and is hoping that his experience of playing at the highest level in 2023 will help him in the next season.

“I’ve had a good year,” he said. I started 250th and today I’m 36th. That’s not bad. I could have won here, I could have had a better season, I lost several close matches. I’ve gained experience and I’ll try to do better next season. I thought I’d learned how to handle a final, but I’ve lost three this year… Otherwise, I know myself better. I’ve made a lot of progress with my game and mentally, too.

“What Alcaraz has achieved is incredible. I don’t know if I’m capable of doing the same. I’m going to give it my all, but that’s not my short-term goal. I don’t want to become world number 1 in three months’ time because that’s impossible.

“I have to work, again and again and see what happens. That means working every day and giving my all in every match. And maybe one day I’ll be a champion. I hope so! I’m progressing fast, but not as fast as Carlos. What he’s done is crazy.”