A flashy game, powerful forehand and great abs make Arthur Fils one to watch at the U.S. Open
Tennis pro Arthur Fils continues to give the gays everything they want and is emerging as a contender at the U.S. Open.
Mark
In the words of Erika Jayne from “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” tennis pro Arthur Fils continues to “give the gays everything they want.”
With the absences of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner this summer hardcourt season, the tennis world has been looking for its next breakout star at the U.S. Open, which starts Sunday for singles. And at least for gay fans, they found one in the shape of this Frenchman with an electric game and model good looks.
Fils, 22, has everything gay fans could want. His incredibly flashy game blends heavy topspin with power, and his forehand routinely clocks in at more than 100 mph. He also has the charisma (uniqueness, nerve and talent 
) that turns casual viewers into supporters. Every match is a show worth watching.
Oh, and he just won the biggest title of his career. Fils won the ATP 1000 level tournament and the most important lead up for the U.S. Open at the Cincinnati Open last weekend. He beat Frances Tiafoe 6-3 1-6 6-0 in the first 1000 level final between two Black men.
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To win the title, the 11th-seed Fils beat four seeds: No. Alex de Miñaur, No. 7 Flavio Cobolli, and No. 9 Jiri Lehecka before beating the 17th-seed Tiafoe.
With big wins under his belt and momentum on his side, Fils is a contender for the last major of the year. His game and personality are made for the New York City lights. A few U.S. Open night sessions could unlock the confidence he needs to go all the way. With Sinner out with injury and Alcaraz coming back just in time for the Open, this is a big opportunity for him.
Gay tennis fans are surely hoping his celebration from earlier this year, where he pulled his shirt over his head, becomes his signature, because his perfectly clean-shaven abs don’t hurt his appeal. Fils first showed off the celebration after winning one of the best matches of the year against Tommy Paul 6-7, 7-6 7-6 this spring.
Fils was steadily rising up the rankings until last summer, when he suffered a lower back injury that kept him off the tour for more than seven months. Luckily for tennis fans, he came back playing better than ever. He was 20-4 across five tournaments this clay season before having to miss Roland Garros with a hip issue. Now fit and ready to go, he’s about to take on the hardcourts in New York City.
A good tournament at America’s grand slam event, along with a few more shirtless celebrations, could help make him the next tennis crossover star. We know gay tennis fans will be watching closely.
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