Patrick McEnroe Weighs in on Arthur Fils’ Potential for Grand Slam Glory

Arthur Fils is seen as France’s top hope to clinch a Grand Slam singles title. The last French player to win a Grand Slam was Marion Bartoli, who took Wimbledon in 2013. For French men, the wait has been longer—Yannick Noah’s victory at Roland Garros was 43 years ago.

Currently ranked seventh in the world, Fils had a breakthrough season that saw him qualify for the ATP Finals and win his first Masters 1000 title at the Cincinnati Open. At just 22 years old, expectations are high for the young French star.

McEnroe’s Take: Fitness Key to Fils’ Grand Slam Chances

Former Grand Slam doubles champion Patrick McEnroe shared his thoughts on Fils during an interview with Tennis Actu TV. He highlighted Fils’ battle with injuries, noting that the player missed significant time due to a stress fracture in his lower back. McEnroe said, "I like him a lot, he is an excellent player. I hope he can play all the time because he has been injured for a long time, but if he can play during the season I believe he can win a Grand Slam."

Regarding the ATP Finals, where Fils became the first Frenchman to qualify since Gael Monfils in 2026, McEnroe remarked on its difficulty. He explained, "It's only the top eight players in the world. It’s very special for the players and the elite of everyone. I think both [Grand Slams and the Tour Finals] are very difficult, but maybe Grand Slams are bigger because of the pressure and length. Still, the Tour Finals are tough to win too."

Grand Slam Performances and Records

Though Fils has cracked the top 10 following wins at Cincinnati and Barcelona, success in Grand Slam events has been more elusive. He has never made it past the quarterfinal stage in any major tournament.

His best Grand Slam performances include reaching the third round at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, but it was Wimbledon where he went the furthest, making the fourth round in 2024.

The 2026 season wasn’t kind to Fils in Grand Slams. He won just one match at these events, which came at Wimbledon. Injuries kept him out of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and he lost in the first round at the US Open.

• Australian Open: 3-2 record (60%), best result - Third Round (2025), did not play in 2026
• Roland Garros: 3-2 record (60%), best result - Third Round (2025), did not play in 2026
• Wimbledon: 4-3 record (57.1%), best result - Fourth Round (2024), reached Second Round in 2026
• US Open: 2-3 record (40%), best result - Second Round (2023 & 2024), exited First Round in 2026

Looking Ahead: Paris Masters and ATP Finals

Fils won his opening match at the Paris Masters against Tomas Machac. Next up is a match against Taylor Fritz, an American player aiming to secure a spot at the ATP Finals alongside Fils. Their head-to-head stands tied at one win each.

His next chance to improve on his Grand Slam record will be at the Australian Open next year. For now, the focus remains on performing well at home in Paris before wrapping up the season at the prestigious ATP Finals.