Former professional tennis player Jérôme Potier, who achieved a career-high ranking of 68th in 1989, has transitioned into a coaching role at the FFT (French Tennis Federation). At 62 years of age, he has worked with over 150 players throughout his coaching career. Among the most notable talents he has guided is Arthur Fils, a rising star in French tennis. Currently 14th in the world rankings and set to turn 21 in June, Fils has made history as the 16th French player to break into the top 15 since the Open era began in 1968.
Fils has had an impressive season, reaching the quarter-finals at prominent tournaments including the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona. His rapid rise in the rankings showcases his consistent improvement, noted by Arnaud Clément, a finalist at the Australian Open in 2001, who expressed his excitement about Fils’ potential as he competes frequently against top-10 players.
Potier, who started coaching Fils between the ages of 15 to 18, recognized the young player’s remarkable abilities early on. “He was incredibly powerful, very fast, and had an unbelievable backhand,” Potier recalls. Fils’ determined mindset and blend of ambition and ease on the court have captured the attention of many in the tennis community.
In his younger days, Fils competed against Luca Van Assche, who he faced in the 2021 junior Roland-Garros final. While they had comparable paths, Potier believed that Fils would reach greater heights, a prediction that seems to have come true. Although Potier is currently coaching another young talent, Lucas Marionneau, he fondly remembers his time with Fils and emphasizes the importance of teaching him about the professional circuit.
Potier’s key objective during their time together was to help Fils understand that success in professional tennis is about constructing points rather than hitting winners at every opportunity. He has always been focused on long-term success, aiming for Fils to excel at Grand Slam tournaments rather than just smaller events. Potier even speculated that if Fils were to win a Grand Slam title in the future, it would likely be at Wimbledon, given his exceptional backhand.
This article highlights not only the promising trajectory of Arthur Fils in the world of tennis but also the critical role of dedicated coaching in nurturing young talent. With Potier’s guidance, there is much hope for Fils to continue his rise and possibly achieve great things in his career.