Arthur Fils has emerged as one of the most exciting players on the ATP Tour yet again after returning from injury.
The Frenchman returned in February after a back injury which kept him out for six months and he has hit the ground running since.
Fils lifted the Barcelona Open title and he has also reached the semi-finals at the Miami Open and the Qatar Open final.
With many predicting Fils to disrupt the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner duopoly, Ivan Ljubicic has suggested there’s one area of his game that is already better than Alcaraz’s.
Ivan Ljubicic compares Arthur Fils with Carlos Alcaraz
Ljubicic has been impressed by what he’s seen with Fils so far in 2026 and he is predicting a big clay court season for him.
The former player, who also coached Roger Federer, believes Fils’ game will suit the European clay court season.
Is Arthur Fils the next best player after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
Speaking to L’Equipe, the Croatian said: “His forehand is faster, with much more topspin than any other, even Alcaraz’s sometimes.
“It’s good to have such significant power on that shot; it gives you confidence, especially on clay. That’s why I think clay is his best surface.”
Fils and Alcaraz have met once in 2026 so far, where the Frenchman was resoundingly beaten in the Qatar Open final.
Alcaraz produced one of his most impressive displays of the season to topple the Frenchman in straight sets by a scoreline of 6-2, 6-1.
Arthur Fils and Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record
Fils might be receiving comparisons to Alcaraz, but he is yet to taste a victory against the Spaniard on the ATP Tour.
The pair have now met three times and the world number two has ended the match with an impressive victory.
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Fils has now lost to Alcaraz in Qatar, Barcelona, and Monte-Carlo, the latter of which was the only time he has taken a set from the Spaniard.
As Fils’ excellent form continues in 2026, it will surely only be a matter of time before the talented duo compete once again.
The Frenchman is up to world number 23 in the ATP Tour rankings following his title victory at the Barcelona Open.
Fils begins his Madrid Open campaign against Ignacio Buse as he looks to continue his fine start to life on the clay.
