The long way of the cross of Arthur Fils should come to an end. The Frenchman, former 14th in the world, appears in the table for the Occitanie Open, scheduled for this Monday. He should challenge another Frenchman, Valentin Royer, 58th in the ATP rankings.
Down to 40th in the world, Fils has only played two matches since his retirement in the third round of Roland-Garros last season. A stress fracture in his back contracted at Porte d’Auteuil had condemned him to treatment until the Masters 1000 in Toronto in August. But he only played two matches in Canada before relapsing.
His return had been taking shape for several weeks and his participation in the Australian Open was for a time considered. But at the beginning of January, he announced a new package, explaining that it was going to “be a little short” and that he preferred “to return to 100%”.
The Occitanie Open therefore seems to be the right one, in a tournament with several headliners. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will be there, as will Arthur Gea, a pleasant surprise at the Australian Open and invited for the occasion. Stan Wawrinka, indestructible in Melbourne, will also take part and could find, in the second round, Félix Auger-Aliassime, 8th in the world and favorite for the final victory.
