"My idol was Roger but the more we grow up the more we appreciate watching Rafa play" - Arthur Fils after biggest win of his career at Montpellier

French tennis player Arthur Fils recently confessed his admiration for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal. Fils expressed his appreciation for Nadal's remarkable accomplishments and his unwavering commitment to the sport.

On Wednesday, Fils made history by becoming the first player younger than Carlos Alcaraz to reach the ATP quarter-finals of the 2023 Open Sud de France. He did so by defeating 24th-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling three-set match. This remarkable feat marks a major milestone in Arthur Fils' career.

Fils had never won an ATP match before this week. The wild card stunned the world by defeating Richard Gasquet, 7-5 7-5, in the first round. He had gone 9-1 on the Challenger circuit prior to his appearance in Montpellier. After Wednesday's win, he has already skyrocketed from World No. 163 to World No. 141 in the ATP live rankings.

The Frenchman recently revealed that Roger Federer was his childhood idol, but he has since come to admire Rafael Nadal's tenacity and skill. Growing up, Fils was inspired by Federer's grace and finesse on the court, but he has come to appreciate Nadal's relentless drive and determination.

"My idol was Roger but the more we grow up the more we appreciate watching Rafa play, his fighting spirit, his game…" Fils said.

"I had one plan" - Arthur Fils reveals how he prepared to face Bautista Agut

Fils at the 2021 French Open

Arthur Fils fired eight aces and converted four out of eight break points in his 86-minute second-round victory against Roberto Bautista Agut. Fils demonstrated his impressive skill and prowess on the court. His impressive performance secured him a place in the quarter-finals.

The 18-year-old's remarkable performance this week has created a buzz at the 2023 Open Sud de France. After defeating his Spanish opponent, Fils unveiled his strategy for claiming victory in the ATP 250 indoor tournament.

“I had one plan… I was playing with no mistakes, a lot of winners, and sometimes a big serve,” he said.

When asked about his thoughts on defeating Roberto Bautista Agut, Arthur Fils replied that he has immense respect for the Spaniard and that he was truly delighted to have beaten him.

“I respect him [so much] and I’m really happy about it… I will recover, see my dad, see my coach, and my manager, and then I will sleep!” he said.

The Frenchman's opponent in the ATP Tour quarter-final will either be fifth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or his fellow countryman, Quentin Halys.