Alright, so today I decided to dedicate my court time to thinking about that Matteo Arnaldi versus Arthur Fils match. Been seeing these two names pop up quite a bit, figured I’d try and see what their game is like up close, well, as close as I can get by myself on a practice court.
First thing I did was just pull up some highlights on my phone before heading out. Didn’t want to watch the full thing, just get a feel for their main patterns, you know? Watched a few key points, tried to notice what each guy was going for, their go-to shots under pressure.
Hitting the Court
Got out there, warmed up like usual. Then I started thinking about Fils. Big serve, big forehand. So, I spent a good 20 minutes just bombing serves. Wasn’t really aiming for Fils’ specific placement, more just trying to feel that explosive power he seems to generate. Let me tell you, trying to consistently hit with that much pace? It’s tiring, and honestly, half my serves were flying long or wide. It looks easy on TV, but replicating that kind of power consistently is a whole different ball game.
Then I switched focus to Arnaldi. Seems like more of an all-court player, good movement, solid from the back. So, I started doing baseline drills. Lots of side-to-side movement, trying to hit targets deep in the corners, focusing on keeping the ball in play rather than outright winners. Worked on my backhand down the line specifically, seemed like something Arnaldi used effectively.
Trying to Mix it Up
Here’s where it got a bit messy. I tried to simulate points, playing one point like I imagined Fils would play – aggressive, trying to end it quickly – and the next point like Arnaldi – grinding, defending, looking for the right opportunity.
- Fils style: Go big on the first serve. If it came back, try to crush a forehand. Often resulted in quick errors for me. Felt rushed.
- Arnaldi style: Get the serve in. Rally crosscourt. Move the opponent. Felt more controlled, but harder to actually finish the point.
Switching between those two mentalities shot after shot was tough. My footwork got sloppy trying to transition from defense to sudden offense, and vice-versa. It kind of highlighted how distinct their approaches are, and how hard it is to be good at just one, let alone be able to switch.
What I Noticed
Consistency is key. Arnaldi’s style, while maybe less spectacular, felt more sustainable during my practice. Just getting the ball back deep with decent pace wins you imaginary points against yourself when you’re tired.
Power needs control. Trying to hit like Fils reminded me that power without placement is just wasted energy. Sending balls into the back fence doesn’t help much.
It wasn’t about perfectly copying them, obviously. That’s impossible. It was more about taking elements of their games and seeing how it felt to try them out myself. Ended the session feeling like I’d worked on both my aggressive shots and my defensive consistency, even if it was a bit chaotic switching between the two. Good workout, definitely gave me some things to think about in my own game.
