Arthur Fils confirms if Carlos Alcaraz is the best player he’s ever faced after their Qatar final

Arthur Fils took a heavy defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Qatar Open.

Fils was beaten by Alcaraz, 6-2 6-1, in his first final since returning to tennis after recovering from the back injury that saw him out of action for six months.

The singles final in Doha lasted just 50 minutes and was the quickest final Alcaraz has ever played in his career.

Fils has now reflected on his defeat to Alcaraz as he revealed if the Spaniard is the best player he has ever faced.

Fils says Alcaraz in the Qatar Open final is the best he has ever faced

Speaking to Tennis TV while in Dubai, Fils reflected on his match against Alcaraz, although he later pulled out of the event before his opening round. Looking back on the final, he said it might have been the toughest anyone’s played against him.

“Yeah, I think so,” Fils said. “I mean, I’ve never had a really tough loss, I don’t remember. Sorry for the word but I never got my a– kicked that much. Two days ago was, he played pretty good (smiles).”

Their first encounter came at last year’s Monte Carlo Masters, where Fils took the opening set before Alcaraz turned things around to win.

It was still an encouraging week for Fils despite coming up short in the final. Doha marked just his third tournament back since returning from injury.

“Well you know, I know I can play some great tennis,” answered Fils. “I’ve been 14 in the world and I was playing pretty good before I got injured, so I know that I can play.

“I think that now I’m playing pretty good, it’s always taking a bit of time to hit my level especially with his level and my level especially but it’s getting better and better.

Arthur Fils shares details about his relationship with Goran Ivanisevic

Fils’ run to the Qatar Open final wasn’t the only notable development last week, as he also introduced his new coach.

The world number 34 has started working with former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, whose recent coaching experience includes stints with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Elena Rybakina, and Novak Djokovic—the latter of whom he helped guide to nine Grand Slam titles.

There’s been plenty of interest in how the partnership will unfold, but Fils sounded relaxed and upbeat when describing Ivanisevic’s personality.

“Yeah it’s pretty nice,” said Fils. “We just started working five days ago or one week ago, but it’s very nice. I really enjoy, he’s pretty funny

“…He has a lot of experience, so whatever I feel, he’s already felt it. At least it’s pretty good, so he knows what I’m going through, so he can give me some advice and he can help me, and it’s very nice to talk with him.”

After deciding not to play in Dubai, Fils now has more than a week before his next tournament gets underway.

The Frenchman will head back into action at Indian Wells next month—a tournament where he made a quarterfinal appearance last season.

Read more: