The China Mail - Fils blames back stress fracture for Roland Garros withdrawal

The 14th seed pulled out of the tournament on Friday before he was set to play Russia's Andrey Rublev.

Rublev will receive a walkover into the last 16 and could next meet world number one Jannik Sinner.

"I have a stress fracture. I had to make a decision and we decided with my team it was better to stop now because it could be for only four to six weeks," Fils said on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Fils beat Spain's Jaume Munar in five sets on Thursday but needed treatment for a back problem and also dealt with cramp.

"I had some issue with the back for a long time, and during the match against Munar it gets worse. Then I did some exams. The exams were not good at all," he continued.

Fils had said that without the help of the crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen he was not sure if he could have finished the match against Munar.

"If I was pushing myself too much, I would probably stop for a couple of months," he said.

"This is not what we are trying to do, so yeah, had to make a choice."

Fils said he was still hopeful of playing the third Grand Slam of the year on grass at Wimbledon from June 30, where he reached the last 16 in 2024.

"I'll try to see if I can be ready. I'm not at all sure. It's a big question mark. It will take as long as it takes," Fils added.

The Parisian was also forced to retire at the Australian Open in the third round against compatriot Ugo Humbert due to a left ankle injury.

Fils' withdrawal from Roland Garros extends the host nation's wait for a first men's champion at Roland Garros since Yannick Noah in 1983.

W.Cheng--ThChM