Arthur Fils Reveals His Plans After His Tennis Career | ATP Tour

On the verge of closing out the season in which he won his first ATP Tour title in Lyon, Arthur Fils entered the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM at a career-high position in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings of No. 36.

But what is the 19-year-old like off the slopes? ATPTour.com speaks to the top seed in Jeddah in this interview in which he reveals his plans after his race, his favorite sport or an adventure holiday.

If you could have dinner with three people, who would they be and why?
Cristiano Ronaldo, first of all, because for me he is the best footballer in the world. I would also say Michael Jordan, because I have seen him a lot. And, third, I would say The Rock.

Would you say that Ronaldo is better than Messi?
For me if. My coach, Sergi Bruguera, loves Messi. So we have a little battle over this.

If you weren’t a tennis player, what job would you like to have and why?
Actor, of course. It’s what I’m going to do after my career. Action movies, like Michael B. Jordan.

If you could choose between attending a concert or a sporting event, which would you go to and why?
Sports. I don’t like going to concerts. Being in the public and jumping, I don’t like it. If I go, I have to be seated. I enjoy being with my friends and all that, but jumping and being so close to so many people in the audience is not something I like. And I love sports.

What sports would you like to watch?
Football, of course. I am a PSG fan. And, probably, basketball. I would also love to try Formula 1, in the paddock.

What is the most interesting thing you have done in your life?
I went swimming with dolphins two weeks ago, in Mauritius. I had never been there on vacation, so I swam with dolphins.

How well do you know the rest of the participants here in Jeddah? Do you get on well with them?
I am very good friends with Luca Van Assche, because we have played together since we were very little. So Luca, and the rest of the guys are very nice… Alex Michelsen, Abdullah Shelbayh. Everyone is friendly. We had a good time and we are enjoying it.

Like every year at the Next Gen ATP Finals, the tournament applies a lot of different rules and innovations. What do you think?
There is no warm-up. It’s going to be good or very bad. I don’t know if it is possible to go out on the track without warming up. You don’t play, you don’t hit a ball. So the first serve, maybe you’re going to hit the frame or hit a double fault. Some will do very well and, probably, others will always be broken in the first game. We will see.

Are there any other rules that stand out to you?
The free movement of fans. It won’t be on the bottoms, just on the sides, so it should be fine. It’s nice because it’s like in basketball or American football or soccer.

You’ve had a great season, with your first ATP Tour title in Lyon. What is the most important thing you have learned this year?
Never give up, because things can change very quickly. I would say it’s the most important thing I’ve learned this year. I have played several games in which things change quickly, neither my opponent nor I gave up, and it was a great game. So you should never give up.