After a tough nine-month battle with a recurring back injury, French sensation Arthur Fils is finally back on the ATP Tour. The 21-year-old, once hailed as the future of French tennis after climbing to a career-high world No. 14, made his highly anticipated return this week at the ATP Montpellier.
His journey back to the court has not been simple, but he’s calm about the situation and has slightly changed the way he approaches his career.
The Road to Recovery: A Stress Fracture and a “Renaissance”
The trouble began during the 2025 clay-court season. After a great start that saw him reach the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo and the semifinals in Barcelona, Fils arrived at Roland Garros as a dark horse. However, during an epic five-set victory over Jaume Munar in the second round, his back “gave in.”
What was initially diagnosed as a stress fracture in a vertebra became a chronic issue. A premature comeback attempt at the Toronto Masters in August 2025 proved to be a mistake; his body wasn’t ready, and the “warning signs” in his back forced him to shut down his season entirely.
During his absence, Fils launched a YouTube channel and a vlog series titled “Renaissance”, (watch it here) giving fans an intimate look at his rehabilitation. The series documented his decision to skip the 2026 Australian Open, a choice he described as “the right decision.”
“I’d prefer to come back at 100% rather than returning too early,” Fils explained in his first vlog. “I’m 21, I still have 10 to 15 years of career ahead, so it’s not a race.”
A New Arthur Fils: Lighter, Leaner and more Focused
Fans watching Fils in Montpellier this week will notice a physical transformation. During his time away, the Frenchman adopted a holistic approach to his health, hiring a nutritionist to work with him “24/7.” As a result, he has lost six to seven kilograms (roughly 13–15 lbs) to reduce the strain on his back and improve his mobility.
Despite the lengthy layoff, Fils remains composed and is not stressing about the situation. “Excluding Roland Garros, I think withdrawing from the Paris Masters was the hardest moment,” he said during a recent Media Day. “But I’ve learned that I’m not a very anxious person. I knew that eventually, I would return and be ready to play at my best level.”
What to Expect in 2026?
With his debut in Montpellier against countryman Valentin Royer, the so called “Renaissance” has officially begun. Here is what we can expect from Fils this season:
- Patience over Points: Having learned the hard way in 2025, Fils is unlikely to over-schedule. His team is prioritizing health over ranking points, with a focus on being fully fit for the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) and the European clay swing.
- Grand Slam Ambitions: Despite the ranking slip to around No. 42, Fils has not lowered his long term goals; to reach world No. 1 and winning Grand Slams.
Cooking in Montpellier?????
[openoccitanie on instagram] pic.twitter.com/DjKWyJ9sLw— Arthur Fils Updates (@filsupdates) February 2, 2026
Above: Fils training in Montpellier ahead of his return
I guess we can expect a rusty Fils in the first few weeks, but most likely he has the Roland Garros as a main target this spring.
Arthur Fils’ return is surely a major boost for the ATP Tour and French tennis. While his back injury was a setback, we think we still have much to see from Fils. As he put it himself: “My back has never been healthier… now I must prove it to myself.”
Another player we can expect for a return in the coming weeks is Jack Draper, who is reportedly playing the Davis Cup ties against Norway.