Arthur Fils said the criticism directed at him this year helped fuel his response at the 2026 Cincinnati Open, where he captured the biggest title of his career.

The Frenchman defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 in Sunday’s final in Mason, Ohio to win his first Masters 1000 crown. It was the fifth ATP Tour title of his career, and by far the most significant to date.

After sealing the win, Fils wrote “Who’s gonna talk now?” on the camera lens, a pointed message that reflected the scrutiny he has faced in 2026. In his press conference, he explained the thinking behind it.

“Because people were talking very bad. You know, in France, it’s very easy sometimes… to criticise,” the 22-year-old said.

“It’s very easy to criticise, and I didn’t play the French Open. I lost early in Washington, and then people think that I’m done, and I don’t know how to play tennis.

“But here we are, I got the title, and I think no one’s going to talk now.”

Asked by French media whether that criticism bothers him, Fils was clear that he does not let it define him.

“To say it affects me is a bit of an exaggeration. But it’s certainly never pleasant when you come across it,” Fils said.

“But actually, I use it as motivation. When things get tough, I tell myself I have no choice.

“What I do, I do for myself, for my team, but also to show them they’re wrong. It’s so easy to criticise.

“When I didn’t play at Roland Garros or when I lost in the first round in Washington, it was as if I’d forgotten how to play tennis, according to some people.”

The result lifted Fils 10 places to a career-high world No 11. He now owns a 32-10 record in 2026, a winning percentage of 76.2%.

Arthur Fils has his first ATP Masters 1000 title after edging Frances Tiafoe in a Cincinnati men’s final that changed direction several times before ending in a one-sided decider.

The Frenchman made the sharper start and looked in control early, taking the opening set 6-3. But the match turned sharply in the second, when Tiafoe produced a far more convincing response and levelled the contest by taking it 6-1. From there, Fils regained command in emphatic fashion, closing out the final set 6-0 to secure the biggest title of his career.

“Wow, that feels good. That feels good,” Fils said. “It’s a lot of training, a lot of things, a lot of sacrifice. Injury. To be able to win one title like this means a lot to me.

“I was a bit nervous during the final. The second set was so quick and I was thinking this is going to be tough, but this is a big win for me and my team.

“I needed to make a little energy at the start of the second set. Of course, no one was supporting me and so I had to say, let’s go.

“I have played tennis since the age of five and I always wanted to hold one of these trophies. It’s not the end goal, but I am very happy.

“Sometimes you have to see the positives from negative things. You have to think that if you keep working, it will come good and it did today.”

The result sends Fils into the US Open as one of the leading names to watch for his first Grand Slam title. The win lifts him to No 11 in the ATP Rankings, and further progress in New York could take him into the top 10.

It was also a meaningful comeback for Fils after a stress fracture in his back disrupted the opening half of 2026. Cincinnati marked the biggest title of a career that has now been strengthened by a notable run of form.

For Tiafoe, the defeat ended a promising week. He collected $612,340 in prize money and is set to rise 11 places to No 12 in the ATP Rankings.

The US Open has been left with notable absences on both sides of the draw, with seven ATP players and nine WTA players withdrawn from the 2026 field.

World No 1 Jannik Sinner, the 2024 US Open champion, confirmed on Friday that he will not take part in Flushing Meadows after sustaining a right knee injury following Wimbledon. His exit brings a change at the top of the men’s seeding, with world No 2 Alexander Zverev now set to lead the field in New York. Carlos Alcaraz will be seeded second, Felix Auger-Aliassime third and Novak Djokovic fifth.

Alcaraz, however, provides a lift to organisers. He has confirmed his return to defend the title and is due back after a three-month absence caused by a wrist injury.

Sinner is one of two seeded men to pull out from the entry list. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who was projected to be 26th, is also out because of a back injury. Holger Rune has joined the list of absentees as his comeback from an Achilles injury has been delayed once more.

Rune underwent surgery last October and had been seen practising with Alcaraz in Murcia this week, which raised hopes of an earlier return after 10 months away. Instead, he explained the decision on social media: “Really happy with my improvement and level. And we keep working.

“My team and I have decided not to have a Grand Slam as my first tournament coming back. @usopen see you next year.”

The women’s withdrawal list is headed by world No 17 Victoria Mboko, who remains sidelined with the knee injury she suffered after slipping at the Queen’s Club Championship in June. She is the only seeded player to withdraw so far.

There is also uncertainty around world No 2 Elena Rybakina after she aggravated an ankle injury at the Cincinnati Open. She retired after five games against Iga Swiatek in the quarter-final and said: “It’s painful to walk, and we will know more tomorrow when I do the MRI,” before adding: “It’s been bothering me for a long period of time. It was under control, but then after playing a lot of matches in Canada and coming here playing two matches in a row.”