SportsInjury Update
UConn's Ball (wrist) to miss all of next season
UConn guard Solo Ball will miss the entire 2026-27 season for wrist surgery.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
What Andrey Rublev really meant by āridiculousā ā His verdict on Arthur Fils
TL;DR
Arthur Fils won his first title in two years by defeating Andrey Rublev 6-2, 7-6 at the Barcelona Open. This victory marks Fils' fourth career title after a long injury layoff.
Key points
- Arthur Fils won the Barcelona Open
- Fils defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets
- This is Fils' first title in two years
- Fils had a back injury that sidelined him for months
- This victory marks Fils' fourth career title
Arthur FilsAndrey RublevBarcelona OpenJapan Open
Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images
Arthur Fils secured his first title in two years and the fourth of his career, defeating Andrey Rublev to claim the Barcelona Open.
The Frenchman, whose previous tour-level victory came at the Japan Open in 2024, overcame Rublev in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6.
Fils had been out of action from July 2025 until February 2026 due to a back injury he picked up at last yearās Roland Garros.
Since making his return, the 21-year-old has put together an impressive run, reaching the final in Doha, making it to the semifinals in Indian Wells, and now lifting the trophy in Barcelona.
Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Andrey Rublev praises Arthur Fils after Barcelona defeat
Speaking after the match, Rublev said: āBig congrats to Arthur. To your team. To your family.
āThe way youāre playing is ridiculous. The level you played today and overall the last couple of years, you proved that youāre one of the best players on tour.
āBeing out for half a year and playing at that level again is something unreal. Iām practicing every day and Iām not at that level.
āIām really happy for you. You deserve it 100%,ā concluded Rublev, who last won a title at the Qatar Open in 2025.
The win gives Fils a 2-1 edge over Rublev in their head-to-head meetings, having also come out on top when they met at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters.
Arthur Filsā clay court schedule: Which tournaments will he play next?
Fils has climbed five places to 25th in the world after his win in Barcelona and he could break into the top 20 this year if he keeps performing on clay.
Q&A
What did Andrey Rublev say about Arthur Fils after their match?
Andrey Rublev described Arthur Fils' performance as 'ridiculous' following their match at the Barcelona Open.
When did Arthur Fils last win a title before the Barcelona Open?
Arthur Fils' last title before the Barcelona Open was at the Japan Open in 2024.
What injury did Arthur Fils suffer that affected his career?
Arthur Fils was sidelined due to a back injury he sustained at Roland Garros in 2025, which kept him out of action until February 2026.
