Withdrawal of Arthur Fils from the 2025 US Open
The 2025 US Open has seen the withdrawal of yet another prominent male competitor, as Arthur Fils, one of tennis’s rising stars, has announced he will not participate in this year’s tournament. At just 21 years old, Fils has gained attention for his potential, yet he finds himself in need of further development to compete at the same level as established players Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have dominated the ATP tour since 2024.
Fils’s Recent Performance and Injury
Fils had a commendable year last season, clinching titles at the 500-level events in both Hamburg and Tokyo, and even challenging Alcaraz in a thrilling three-set match at the Monte-Carlo Masters. However, his aspirations for the current season were derailed by a stress fracture in his back, sustained during a second-round match against Jaume Munar at the French Open. Despite battling through the pain to overcome Munar, Fils quickly recognized the seriousness of his injury once he left the court, leading to his withdrawal from the Paris tournament and handing a fourth-round passage to Andrey Rublev.
Following this setback, Fils missed the entire grass court season. Although he returned to competition at the Canadian Open, where he secured a win over Pablo Carreno Busta before a close loss to Jiri Lehecka, another setback compelled him to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open. His statement on Instagram outlined the struggle to recover fully, citing signs of discomfort during his matches in Toronto and Cincinnati.
“After an injury that kept me away from the court, a warning sign felt during my comeback — first in Toronto, then in Cincinnati — led me to make the difficult but reasonable decision to withdraw from the US Open. I’m working hard every day with my team to come back strong and be ready for this end of season. Thank you for all your support,” he explained.
Impact of Withdrawals on the US Open
As Fils steps back to focus on his health, he joins a growing list of notable withdrawals from the US Open. Other high-profile absentees include Grigor Dimitrov, who has been unable to recover from a torn chest muscle incurred during his Wimbledon match against Sinner, as well as Matteo Berrettini and Hubert Hurkacz, both sidelined by injuries.
The women’s side has not been without its own share of withdrawals: 2022 finalist Ons Jabeur is taking a break for personal well-being, hoping to return rejuvenated, while Paula Badosa battles a chronic back issue. Additionally, Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng is recovering from surgery for an elbow injury, adding to the list of missed opportunities for fans. Fils’s absence, in particular, is felt, as his electrifying style of play would have undoubtedly captivated the audience in New York.
