Arthur Fils, France’s highest-ranked tennis player at world No. 19, has withdrawn from the French Open on Saturday, citing a hip injury. This marks a significant setback for the 21-year-old, who had been a beacon of hope for local fans eager to see a French male champion at Roland Garros for the first time since Yannick Noah’s victory in 1983.
Fils’s recent struggles with the injury became apparent during his last warm-up match before Roland Garros, where he retired in the first set of his opening match at the Italian Open. Despite medical examinations not revealing any structural damage, Fils reported experiencing considerable pain in his hip.
“My hip was bothering me a lot,” Fils stated. “I haven’t been able to practice for the past two weeks. In fact, today’s practice was my first time playing points since Rome two weeks ago.” He emphasized his decision to prioritize his long-term health, adding, “I won’t be 100% fit to play the tournament, and I won’t take any risks like I did last year. I don’t want to be foolish.”
This isn’t Fils’s first withdrawal from his home Grand Slam; he also pulled out of last year’s French Open after the second round due to a stress fracture in his lower back. After recovering from that injury which sidelined him for the latter part of last year, Fils had shown excellent form this season, achieving a 22-7 record with strong performances in tournaments such as Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid, and securing a clay-court title in Barcelona.
Fils was originally scheduled to commence his campaign against 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 champion who is making his final appearance at the French Open. Wawrinka will now face a qualifier instead. The main draw play in Paris is set to begin on Sunday.
