By Richard Pagliaro Friday, February 20, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Arthur Fells Today I took a look back at the main support system.
before reaching the decider in a match he won 6-4, 7-6(4) Jakub Mencik Heading into today’s Doha final, Fiers glanced quickly at his support box, where his father sat next to the 2001 Wimbledon champion and newly minted champion. Co-coach Goran Ivanisevic.
The 21-year-old Fiers advances to the finals for the fifth time in his career and first since winning the Tokyo title in October 2024. He said he is working with coach Golan to pursue an important goal.
“Of course, I’m still young. I have big ambitions,” Fiers said. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to be one of the best tennis players and try my best to win some great championships, some Grand Slams, if I could. So, yeah, maybe, I mean, I hope he can help me.”
Explosive Phils, who will face World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Doha final, Ivanisevic said he could be helped to learn to be an escape artist on the pitch.
“Of course, on the court, it’s just me, you know, just me and myself,” Fiers said. “I’m the one holding the racket and making the decisions. But what if he can help me escape a little bit? Traps? Yeah, escape a trap faster, you know what I mean?”
Fiers is widely regarded as one of the top young talents in tennis, but he suffered a stress fracture in his back during the 2025 French Open, causing him to miss much of last season. Fiers made a brief comeback in Toronto last August, defeating Pablo Carreno Busta in his first fight before losing to Jiri Lehka in the second round. Fiers and Toronto singles champion Ben Shelton reached the doubles quarterfinals but lost.
Fiers has not played in the main draw of a major since suffering the stress fracture. However, Ivanisevic will bring important experience to his coaching staff when he returns.
Ivanisevic coached Marin Cilic to the 2014 U.S. Open title and then coached Novak Djokovic to 12 of his 24 Grand Slam titles. Fiers said the idea to bring Ivanisevic in came from coach Ivan Shinkus, who is a friend of Ivanisevic.
“Well, you know, he also knows my other coach Ivan Shimkus very well,” Fiers said. “So the contact was very easy. Ivan told me that Golan could help me, he had a lot of experience and he had some free time now. So we just chatted for a while and then we decided to give it a try and, you know, give it a try.”
