Arthur Fils has become an unlikely style leader on the men’s tour this season. The 22-year-old Frenchman unveiled cornrows in Miami in March, and the look has since appeared on Carlos Alcaraz and Flavio Cobolli, who have both been seen with similar braids.
Fils’ Unique Style and Tennis Journey
After beating Mariano Navone in the second round in Montreal on Thursday, Fils was asked about others adopting the hairstyle. He expressed his pleasure in seeing players experiment with their looks but felt that Alcaraz and Cobolli look better with their usual cuts. Fils added that he’d like to keep cornrows as his own trademark, emphasizing his desire to maintain a unique style on the court.
Fils’s lighthearted stance underscored that he views the copycats as a compliment, even as he aims to make the style uniquely his. This approach not only showcases his personality but also reflects a growing trend among athletes who use their appearance to express individuality.
Alcaraz has a history of changing things up. He arrived at last year’s US Open with a buzz cut and went on to win the title, demonstrating that style can be an important aspect of an athlete’s confidence and performance.
Attention now shifts back to tennis as Fils prepares to face Cameron Norrie in the third round of the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 event on Saturday. Since returning from injury in February, Fils boasts an impressive record of 25-9 in tour-level matches this season. He is pushing for his first appearance at the year-end ATP Finals and currently sits 12th in the ATP Live Race to Turin.
As Fils continues to make his mark both on and off the court, his cornrows may just be the beginning of a new trend in men’s tennis fashion. Fans and players alike are excited to see how his style evolves as he climbs the ranks in the sport.