Fils: Goal with Coach Goran
By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, February 20, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Arthur Fils glanced over his shoulder at a major support system today.
Prior to playing the tiebreaker in his 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Jakub Mensik to reach the Doha final today, Fils quickly glanced over at his support box where his father sat next to 2001 Wimbledon champion and new co-coach Goran Ivanisevic.
The 21-year-old Fils, who advanced to his fifth career final and first since winning the Tokyo title in October of 2024, said he’s chasing a major goal working with Coach Goran.
“Of course, I’m still young. I have a lot of ambition,” Fils said. “Since I was very young I wanted to be one of the best tennis players and try my best to try to win some great titles, some slams, if I can. So, yeah, maybe, I mean, I hope he’s going to help me.”
The explosive Fils, who will face world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in tomorrow’s Doha final, said Ivanisevic can help him learn to be an escape artist on court.
“Of course, on the court, it’s me, you know, it’s just me and myself,” Fils said. “It’s me holding the racquet and taking the decision. But if he can help me to escape from some, how you say? The trap? Yes, to escape from the trap more quickly, you know what I mean?”
Widely regarded as one of the top young talents in tennis, Fils suffered a stress fracture in his back at the 2025 Roland Garros that knocked him out of much of last season. Fils made a brief comeback in Toronto last August where he defeated Pablo Carreno Busta in his opener before bowing to Jiri Lehecka in round two. Fils and Toronto singles champion Ben Shelton reached the doubles quarterfinals before conceding a walkover.
Since that stress fracture, Fils has yet to play a Grand Slam main draw. However, when he does make his return, Ivanisevic will bring major experience to his coaching box.
Ivanisevic coached Marin Cilic to the 2014 US Open championship then coached Novak Djokovic to 12 of his 24 Grand Slam crowns. Fils said the idea to bring Ivanisevic aboard came from coach Ivan Cinkus, who is friends with Ivanisevic.
“Well, you know, he knows very good also my other coach, Ivan Cinkus,” Fils said. “So the connection was pretty easy. Ivan told me that Goran could help me, that he has a lot of experience, he has some free time now. So we just talk a little bit, and we decide to take a shot, you know, to try.”
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