Fils: The one tournament I really want to win is Roland

If you had to pick just one, what is your favourite surface?

Clay, because I’ve spent four or five years training at Roland-Garros, and I’m pretty good on this surface, I’d say it suits my game. On clay, it feels like a battle, matches are often tough, a struggle even, you really need to fight. I never really knew how to slide before, but now I’ve got that down, even though I do still get stuck sometimes. What I don’t particularly like about the surface, like most people, are the tricky bounces, which you need to learn to deal with. But you don’t get that at Roland-Garros, here we’ve got the best clay in the world!

If you had to pick just one, what is your favourite shot?

The forehand. With the forehand, especially on the clay, you can really control a point, move the ball to the left, to the right, go cross court or down the line. It’s a solid tactical shot. I find it really satisfying when I hit a great forehand, because it means I’m in a position to attack the point and get the winner. It’s a bit like a game of chess. It’s cool. My forehand on clay is more deadly than my backhand. I can get quite a lot of spin on it, so it’s more lethal and that’s why I like it.

If you had a magic wand, what would you change in your game?

My touch, because my drop shots aren’t great. I’m working on it, obviously, but if I could just wave a magic wand and have hands like Hugo Gaston, I’d jump at the chance.

If you had to pick just one memory from Roland-Garros?

When I was at the national training centre (CNE), and I was about 16 or 17, I loved it when around 8pm, my mates and I would go and watch the end of the matches together and we’d create a really lively atmosphere in the crowd. We were so lucky to be able to watch the world’s greatest players go head-to-head at one of the world’s greatest tournaments, the greatest I’d say. Those memories are really special. Other than that, as a player, I’d say my match against Davidovich Fokina last year. It was amazing, the atmosphere was really special, I had the crowd behind me, and even though I lost, it was still a great experience. We train all year to live those special moments, that kind of atmosphere. I really like Indian Wells as the setting is just idyllic, surrounded by mountains, you feel like you’re on holiday, but the one tournament I really want to win is Roland-Garros. I’ve grown up here. Winning here one day would be just incredible.

If you could pick your opponent in the final at Roland-Garros?

For it to be iconic, I’d say Rafa. But then I’m not sure I’d win (laughs).

If you could pick an opponent for the greatest match of your career?

Roger Federer is my idol. I’d have loved to have played him. It’s not going to happen, as he retired shortly before I joined the tour, otherwise he’s who I’d have chosen.

If you could make one dream come true in your career?

I want to win a Grand Slam. It doesn’t have to be at Roland-Garros, I just want to win a Grand Slam. It’s what we all dream of. For the past decade, all the Grand Slams have been won by the same few players, so it isn’t easy. It adds a lot of pressure when you have the skill to win. Right now, I’m about 35th in the world, so there’s no pressure. It’s different for the guys in the top 5. I’m just trying to do my best and get through the first week for now.

If you could choose a sparring partner?

Carlos Alcaraz, because he’s one of the best and when you train every day with the best, it’s got to help (laughs). We’re the same generation, he’s just a year older than me. What he’s done is incredible, he’s a great champion who’s already won Grand Slams. So if I could choose a training partner, I’d choose him, but generally speaking it’s the coaches who get together to organise things like that.

Which young player do you think will win the most Grand Slams?

I would say Carlos again, he’s already won two Grand Slams, whereas for me, it’s still a distant dream. I train hard, I work hard, so one day I might have a chance to win one. But I still need more experience.

If you could replay one match?

My rubber against Daniel Evans in the Davis Cup last year. It was the first time I’d been picked and I was a set and a break up. But the tables turned in the blink of an eye. It’s a shame because if I’d won, we’d have been 2-0 up because Ugo (Humbert) won his match. I didn’t manage the big moments well, unlike my opponent. The Davis Cup is really different from other matches on the tour, as you’re playing for your country, trying to win a point for your team, the atmosphere is really different. But it’s all part of the experience...

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’ll be nearly 25 then... I’d like to have a couple of big titles under my belt and be in contention at the Grand Slams. I won’t be bored of the tour, no way. I feel lucky to be where I am as millions of people try and make it in sport. I’ve been working to get here since I was a kid. Life on the tour is good, we play at the best tournaments in the world, in the most incredible places in the world. It’s mad when you think about it. We’re really lucky.

Which players do you get on best with on the tour?

I’d say Gaël Monfils, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, as well as players more my age, like Luca Van Assche and Ben Shelton. Fokina and I have a lot of fun together, we share the same interests. Ben and I have the same energy, we’re both all in and we have a good laugh together. Luca and I have grown up together, we’ve known each other since we were 12, 13, so we’ve spent a lot of time together and know each other well. We speak often and get on really well. I see those guys as mates, but that doesn’t mean I’m not able to put that to one side when we play. When we meet on the court, I’m all about winning.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a professional tennis player?

I’ve always struggled to sit down for hours on end, behind a desk, listening. I don’t really know. Perhaps I’d have done something like acting. I’d have liked to have worked in films, perhaps I will when I stop playing tennis?

What was your favourite subject at school?

I really enjoyed maths and physics. I specialised in science for the Bac, and got a distinction. And I skipped a year when I was 12. My parents pushed me quite hard at school, to get a good qualification. In the end, it was tough on top of the tennis, I joined the national remote learning programme (CNED) when I was about 14. When I was at the Pôle France training centre in Poitiers, I had lessons there, and the weekend I would go home, and do my homework with my parents to catch up everything I hadn’t had chance to do during the week. My parents, my mum especially, said I had to pass the Bac if I wanted to keep playing tennis.

What is your favourite city or country?

The US. I love that country. I really like Miami, and New York too. Americans are always chilled and positive. The weather is nice and everything is huge – the parks are massive, and there are football pitches and basketball courts everywhere. The country is sport mad and that’s what I love, you can play sport everywhere. I could see myself living there. Probably in Miami, to live life outdoors, surrounded by nature.

What do you do in your free time?

I love football. When I was younger, I was a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m PSG at heart. I’ve been to the Parc des Princes a few times, but I can’t really go anymore. I don’t play anymore either, to avoid getting injured. But with football, even if you’re rubbish, you can still have fun, because you’re not alone on the pitch, you’re part of a team. With tennis, it’s not so easy. If you’re no good, you miss the ball and it’s frustrating, and not very fun.

What is your favourite music or artist?

I like upbeat music you can move to. Tiakola, a French rapper that always has a strong melody, a good beat, and you can dance to, or Burnaboy, which is more afrobeats, it’s more chilled, good for when you’re in the car, on holiday, anytime you just want to sit back and enjoy life.

What is your favourite dish?

Diri djondjon, Haitian black rice with plantain bananas. It’s rice, peas, marinated pork and fried bananas and it’s delicious. I hardly ever eat it, it’s not very healthy so I try to avoid it, and I don’t often get the opportunity either. My dad and my grandma do it really well, so it brings back fond memories from my childhood.

Read this interview and many other stories in the Roland-Garros 2024 Magazine!