Fils revels in fulfilling France Davis Cup dream with Mpetshi Perricard
French tennis players Arthur Fils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard returned to action on the ATP circuit basking in the glow of fulfilling their shared childhood dream of representing their country in the Davis Cup.
Fils, 20, and Mpetshi Perricard, 21, have forged a friendship over the past decade and were part of the France squad that beat Brazil 4-0 on 1 adn 2 February in Orléans, western France, in the first round of the 2025 men's tennis team competition.
The victory moved France, 10-times winners of the 125-year-old competition, into a second round clash against Croatia in September.
"I played with Gio [Mpetshi Perricard] in doubles in junior competitions and now to play in the same team for the Davis Cup, it's something unbelievable," beamed Fils.
"Since we met each other we've been talking about playing for France together and to finally make it is huge. It's something we've dreamed of since we were young and to do it ... especially in France."
Fils, who is 19th in the world rankings, said it was particularly emotional as La Marseillaise – the French national anthem – was played before the encounter at the Palais des Sports.
"I was standing next to Gio when La Marseillaise started," he said. "To be there at an event like the Davis Cup with a very close friend, we were almost crying. Gio is almost like my brother. We go on holidays together. We do everything together.
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