In what was potentially his last match, Joao Sousa faced Arthur Fils at the Estoril Open. The 19-year-old Fils won the first set 7-5 against the 2018 champion Sousa, who was participating in the last tournament of his career, after one hour of play in a fantastic atmosphere. The match concluded with Fils securing a victory with scores of 7-5, 6-4. Sousa, playing in front of his home crowd in Estoril, remarked on the special nature of the match, expressing satisfaction with how his career concluded. The tennis community shared emotional tributes, acknowledging Sousa's contributions to the sport with messages of 'Thanks for everything Joao Sousa'.
"I couldn’t ask for something better from today." 🇵🇹 João Sousa played his final match of his career in front of his home crowd today in Estoril. https://t.co/3BB6DjmoaE
What a moment 🥺 Arthur Fils ends Joao Sousa career with a 7-5 6-4 victory over the Portuguese at the @EstorilOpen 👏 #EstorilOpen https://t.co/LLEsZDUfR5
Emotional 🥺 Thanks for everything Joao Sousa ❤️ #EstorilOpen https://t.co/dOyD0bTfwG
The last shot of Sousa's career 😢 Fils comes through 7-5 6-4 👏 #EstorilOpen https://t.co/lUeKRCNhPv
WHAT S SET! 19yo Arthur Fils takes the first set against 2018 champ João Sousa, who his playing the last tournament of his career, 7-5. One hour played. Fantastic atmosphere. https://t.co/INgEhIpMIK
Potentially his last match 🥺 Joao Sousa takes on Arthur Fils at the #EstorilOpen WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/hOHmv2wMlX https://t.co/jefHOePE6b