After several shorter engagements, including work in women’s tennis, Ivanišević has taken on a new coaching role, joining the team of rising French talent Arthur Fils. The Croatian coach has already travelled to Doha, where he is accompanying the player during his run at the ATP 500 event.

Ivanišević brings extensive coaching experience, having worked with Novak Djokovic, Marin Čilić and a number of other top players. This time, however, the focus shifts from guiding established champions to shaping a player still on his way to the very top.

Arthur Fils, currently No. 40 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is one of the standout representatives of the new generation of French and world tennis. Last season he reached a career-high ranking of No. 14, but a stress fracture in his back at Roland Garros in late May sidelined him for most of the year, with only a brief return in Toronto afterwards.

Despite his young age, he has already left a mark on the Tour. He claimed his first ATP title in Lyon in 2023 at just 18 years and 11 months, becoming the youngest French champion since Gaël Monfils in 2005. In 2024 he made a major breakthrough, winning two ATP 500 titles — defeating Alexander Zverev in the Hamburg final before later triumphing in Tokyo.

He opened the 2026 season with a return to competition in Montpellier (ATP 250), reaching the quarterfinals. In Doha he has gone even further — already into the semifinals, where he will face Czech youngster Jakub Menšík for a place in his fifth career final.

After an injury-hit season, Fils is now looking for progress and consistency alongside a former Tour legend whose coaching résumé includes success at the very top of the sport.

Speaking about the start of the partnership with Ivanišević, the Frenchman did not hide his excitement:

“An incredible champion, a Grand Slam winner and a coach of many players — champions, really,” Fils told ATP.

“He’ll be helping me throughout the season. We’ll see how it goes, but I think it’s good for me. It’s important for me to have his experience with me, both as a player and as a coach. I’m really happy he’s joined me on this long journey.”