A dramatic encounter at the Italian Open culminated in a tense exchange between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Arthur Fils during their post-match handshake. The friction stemmed from a contentious body shot delivered by Tsitsipas earlier in the match, which Fils later cited as a source of motivation for his comeback victory.
In their third-round clash in Rome, Tsitsipas dominated the first set 6-2, but Fils rallied to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-2, securing his spot in the fourth round. The match's turning point occurred when Tsitsipas struck Fils with a backhand body shot—a legal but often debated tactic in tennis. Fils used the incident as fuel, channeling his frustration into a spirited comeback.
At the conclusion of the match, as the players approached the net, tensions boiled over. Fils and Tsitsipas engaged in a heated verbal exchange, prompting the umpire to intervene. The crowd responded with jeers as the situation escalated. Eventually, Fils extended an olive branch by placing his arm on Tsitsipas' shoulder, and the umpire commended both players, saying, "Good job guys, good job."
This incident adds another chapter to the growing rivalry between the two players, following their previous encounter at the Barcelona Open, where Tsitsipas retired early due to injury. As both athletes continue their campaigns, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this rivalry develops in future tournaments.
Arthur Fils spoke about the incident
The Italian Open witnessed an intense and emotionally charged moment on Sunday, as Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and France’s Arthur Fils ended their third-round encounter with a frosty and fiery exchange at the net. The controversy erupted after a tense three-set battle that saw Fils storm back from a set down to defeat Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Following Fils' comeback win, emotions ran high as the two men met at the net. What should have been a routine handshake escalated into a heated exchange of words. Television footage showed Tsitsipas confronting Fils, while the young Frenchman responded with apparent irritation. The chair umpire was forced to intervene, asking both players to calm down. The crowd, sensing the rising tension, booed loudly as the scene unfolded.
Later, Fils told reporters that the body shot was a turning point: "I like him. He’s a great guy. A great champion. It was a bit tight in the middle of the 2nd set. He went for my body. It’s part of the game. There’s nothing wrong with it. I tried to find a way to fight. I found this kind of excuse to go and to fight. Ok, he told me at the end he wasn’t going for my body. I told him ‘I know it.’ It’s ok. It’s all good. I just needed to find a way to fight."
As the Italian Open progresses, this encounter will remain one of the tournament’s most talked-about moments — a mix of skill, emotion, and sportsmanship put to the test under pressure.
