After eight months out with a lower-back stress fracture, French player Arthur Fils has returned to the ATP Tour, reaching the quarter-finals in Montpellier last week and moving on to Rotterdam for his next test.
Arthur Fils’ Journey Through Injury and Comeback
Fils’ injury began during the 2025 clay season. He suffered the back issue at Roland Garros in May, withdrew before the third round, and missed the entire grass stretch. A short comeback in early August in Toronto brought two matches and one win, but it proved too soon and led to another extended spell on the sidelines.
The long break challenged him most away from the court. He found the mental strain of watching others compete harder than the physical pain, and at one stage, stepped back from following tennis altogether. With his team, he adopted a cautious plan, building strength in the gym first and easing back onto the court only when ready. The emphasis was on gradual progress, flexibility and mobility work, and avoiding any rush.
Before the setback, Fils had climbed to a career-high No. 14 in the ATP Rankings and collected tour titles in Lyon in 2023 and in Hamburg and Tokyo in 2024. Those results helped anchor his confidence through rehab.
His return in Montpellier was designed to gauge how his body would respond after the layoff. He reported feeling strong physically and clear-headed, earned wins over Valentin Royer and Ugo Blanchet, and fell in the quarter-finals to eventual champion Felix Auger-Aliassime. Beyond the matches, he valued being back around the locker room and appreciated messages of support from fellow players.
Now in the Netherlands for the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, Fils opens against top seed and two-time finalist Alex de Minaur. With his back responding well, he is managing his workload carefully, focusing on rest between sessions, and keeping expectations balanced as he takes his comeback one match at a time. His journey highlights not just the physical challenges athletes face but also the importance of mental resilience in the world of professional sports.