As the curtains draw on the 2023 ATP Tour season, the spotlight shines on Arthur Fils and Hamad Medjedovic, who are set to battle for glory at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM. This title clash not only marks their shot at championship victory but also a chance to join the prestigious list of winners at the season-ending 21-and-under event.
Scheduled at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday at King Abdullah Sports City, top seed Arthur Fils and sixth seed Hamad Medjedovic will strive to etch their names alongside current top-ranked stars Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Stefanos Tsitsipas as champions of this youthful tournament.
Both players enter the final showdown unbeaten throughout the week in Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for their inaugural Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter, promising an enticing battle. Despite Fils holding a 74-place advantage over Medjedovic in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, the Frenchman remains cautious, acknowledging Medjedovic’s thunderous serves and powerful groundstrokes that have captivated fans this week.
Expressing his anticipation for the match, Fils reflected on their history: “We’ve known each other a long time. We played juniors together, so I know that he has an unbelievable serve. The fastest of the tournament. It’s going to be a tough one. I’m going to need to know exactly how to play, with good tactics, but I think that it’s going to be a good match for sure.”
Fils secured his spot in the final after a composed victory over compatriot Luca Van Assche in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Medjedovic advanced following Dominic Stricker’s retirement due to a back injury in their last-four clash. The 20-year-old Serbian eagerly anticipates renewing his rivalry with Fils, gearing up for the first ATP-sanctioned title match on Saudi Arabian soil.
Anticipating the encounter, Medjedovic shared, “I think it’s going to be a really good match. Arthur is a really good player, he’s already World No. 36. He’s a really good friend of mine as well. I’ve known him for a long time and I’m excited to play him tomorrow.”
The Next Gen ATP Finals finale promises an exhilarating display of talent, friendship, and fierce competition as Fils and Medjedovic vie for the coveted title, showcasing the future potential of tennis on the ATP Tour.
Fils in the Next Gen ATP Finals, ranking, and results in 2023
At the moment ranked no.36 (career-high), the French player has achieved a composed 43-23 match record in 2023. The French player ended his run in the round-robin after defeating Luca Van Assche 2-4 4-1 4-31 4-36.
Arthur Fils will compete against the world no.110 Hamad Medjedovic in the final. They have never played each other till now in top competitions.
The French player conquered 2 titles in 2023 in the Oeiras 2 Challenger and Lyon. The French player was the runner-up in the Quimper Challenger and in Antwerp (European Open).
Medjedovic in the Next Gen ATP Finals, ranking, and results in 2023
LWWWWLWWLW Now the world no.110, Medjedovic owns an overall 47-23 match record in 2023. Hamad ended his run in the round-robin after Dominic Stricker retired on a 4-35 2-1 . scoreline.
Hamad Medjedovic will play the world no.36 Arthur Fils in the final. In the past, they have never played each other so far on the main tour.
Hamad has won 3 titles in 2023 in the Szekesfehervar Challenger, the Mauthausen Challenger and the Mallorca Challenger.
Arthur Fils and Hamad Medjedovic have never faced off.
