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Thursday May 09, 2024

Fils mimics Ronaldo’s celebration to make Messi-fan coach ‘crazy’

“I was a huge fan of Ronaldo when I was young," Arthur Fils says

By Sports Desk
December 01, 2023
(Left to right) Argentine star Lionel Messi, tennis star Arthur Fils, and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. — Reuters/ATP
(Left to right) Argentine star Lionel Messi, tennis star Arthur Fils, and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. — Reuters/ATP

Frenchman Arthur Fils, who has been in super form at the Next Gen ATP Finals, has been attracting eyeballs not only due to his performance but his style of celebration as well.

Inside King Abdullah’s Sports City, the star celebrated his three wins in Green Group at the 21-and-under season finale by mimicking Portuguese forward and legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siu’ celebration.

It is not a secret that Fils is an admirer of the former Real Madrid forward, who has joined in January joined Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.

In conversation with ATPTour.com, following his win over Dominic Stricker to remain perfect at the tournament, he said: “I was a huge fan of Ronaldo when I was young.”

“Now it’s a little bit tough to follow the football [and Ronaldo], especially when he’s here. I’m really a fan of him and I know he is playing here in this country, so I’m really happy [to do it] when I win.”

Fans at the event, being held in Saudi Arabia, might be familiar with the celebration of the Frenchman as Ronaldo now plays for a Saudi club.

However, Fils revealed another reason for copying Ronaldo’s celebration style.

“My coach Sergi [Bruguera] is a huge fan of Barcelona and Lionel Messi, so I just wanted to make him crazy,” joked Fils. “That’s why I’m doing it, and I think I’m doing it well.”

The question is, will the Frenchman continue celebrating in the same style after the event in Saudi Arabia ends?

“Probably not, but [maybe] sometimes," he said. "Why not? I don’t know when [exactly] Sergi will be with me, but if I want to make him crazy, I will do it for sure.”