Recently, tennis player Arthur Fils discussed his friendship with Ben Shelton, who captured his first ATP title in Japan last week.
Fils, who advanced to his second ATP final in Antwerp, lost in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to Alexander Bublik. With victories over Juan Pablo Varillas in the quarterfinals and top-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals, the 19-year-old had an incredible run in the competition.
Fils was questioned about his relationship with Shelton and his thoughts on the American’s recent accomplishments during a press conference after the match.
He expressed his thoughts about his relationship with Shelton and said: “Ben is a really good friend. I saw his first title; it’s great. Well, today, I didn’t manage to show him much. I saw that he is still in the race for the Masters; I wish him to get there.”
Following their individual semifinal victories, the two players recently engaged in a lighthearted conversation. After defeating Tsitsipas, Fils captured Shelton’s message, ‘humble and hungry, on camera. Shelton replied, ‘Show me something, Arthur, after winning the Japan Open on Sunday.
Arthur Fils on his friendship with Ben Shelton:
“Ben is a really good friend. I saw his 1st title, it's great. Well, today, I didn't manage to show him much 😂. I saw he was still in the race for the Masters, I hope he gets there.”
Love this friendship.
🇺🇸🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/SGVzrgHKOz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 22, 2023
Ben Shelton in 2023
WWWLLWWLWW Ranked world no.15 (career-high), the American played his last match on the 22nd of October when he overcame world no.37 Aslan Karatsev 7-5 6-1 in the final in Tokyo to win his 1st career title.
During this season Shelton owns a 28-24 match record. This year, the American won 1 title in Tokyo.
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). The main draw will start on the 30th of October.
Arthur Fils in 2023
Now ranked no.38 (career-high), Arthur played his last match on the 22nd of October when he lost to world no.30 Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-4 in the final in Antwerp (draw).
This season the French player has managed to achieve a 39-21 match record. Fils clinched 2 titles in 2023 in the Oeiras 2 Challenger and Lyon. The French player got to the final in the Quimper Challenger and Antwerp.
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). The main draw will start on the 30th of October.
Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils clashed against each other only once. Their record is 1-0 for Shelton. When they played, Ben Shelton won 7-6(4) 6-1 in the round robin in Vancouver (Laver Cup) on the 22nd of September 2023.
