"My only goal will be to win" - Arthur Fils suggests playing against childhood idol Rafael Nadal isn't a "big dream"

Arthur Fils recently stated that the idea of playing against tennis legend Rafael Nadal is not really a big dream of his.

Fils has enjoyed a successful start to the 2023 season as he reached the semifinals of the 2023 Montpellier Open by beating the likes of Richard Gasquet and Roberto Bautista Agut. Up against Italy's Jannik Sinner, the 18-year-old lost 7-5, 6-2.

The teenager also reached the last four of the Marseille Open, where he lost to compatriot Benjamin Bonzi, 6-4, 6-4. Fils defeated three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

In a conversation with TennisActu, the Frenchman stated that it would be "nice" to play the Spanish maestro at least once before he hangs up his boots. The teenager further added that locking horns with the former World No. 1 isn't a "big dream."

"You can't say big dream ... but it would be nice. It is an idol of youth. I watched him win a lot of Grand Slams. I would like to play it in a match. My only goal will be to win if we play but it would be nice yes," Arthur Fils said.

Rafael Nadal exits the ATP top-10 for the first time since April 2005

Former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal recently exited the top-10 of the ATP singles rankings for the first time in almost 18 years. The Spaniard made his debut in the top-10 in April 2005, and has maintained his position ever since. This week's ATP singles rankings update ended the Spaniard's streak of staying among the top-10 for 912 straight weeks.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner lost a major chunk of his ranking points as he has been sidelined since his shock exit from the second round of the 2023 Australian Open. The 36-years-old has missed a lot of ATP tournaments such as the Qatar Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells Masters, among others.

While the World No. 13's return date is yet to be announced, Nadal's compatriot David Ferrer recently shed some light on the veteran's comeback. Speaking about the same, Ferrer said that Nadal has signed up for the Monte-Carlo Masters.

"Today I have been speaking with his representative and he is training on land. He plays five days a week and the idea is for him to start in Monte Carlo (April 9), a week before our tournament," Ferrer said.

Only Martina Navratilova has spent more (1000) weeks in the top-10 of the singles rankings.