‘I have shown myself I have much more’ Alejandro Davidovich Fokina reflects on Monte Carlo Masters run
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has taken great confidence from his run to the Monte Carlo Masters final, giving him the belief to continue competing at a high level.
The 22-year-old had a fantastic run all the way to the Monte Carlo Masters final, his first ever ATP Masters 1000 final and first final of any kind at tour level.
What made the run even more special was that heading into the tournament, Davidovich Fokina was not in the best of form as the Spaniard had been knocked out in the opening round in his previous two tournaments.
However, in just the second round he made the headlines from Monte Carlo as he defeated world number one and 20-time Slam legend Novak Djokovic.
He followed up this victory with wins over former world number seven David Goffin, Indian Wells Champion Taylor Fritz and former world number three Grigor Dimitrov.
Despite losing in the final to defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, Davidovich Fokina believes that his success at the Monte Carlo Masters is just the beginning and that he can compete among the world’s best.
Speaking to Marca, he said: “Yes, of course, the Monte Carlo week was very good.
“I’ve beaten good players and it gives me confidence for what’s to come and to continue competing at the same level.
“Yes, it is true that I have more confidence than if I had lost in the first round.
“But it is [like all] tennis players who want to win their matches.
“The week in Monte Carlo makes me see that I can beat anyone.
“I don’t know what will happen and if I will win more times, but I am very proud of what I have done.
“I want to enjoy and take advantage of all this.”
He went on discuss his improvement when dealing with both the mental and physical demands of such high pressure matches and competing with the best on the ATP tour.
He said: “It is important that on a mental level I have shown myself that I have much more, physically too.
“That gives me confidence to continue playing and fighting.
“With both Fritz and Dimitrov, I had very tough matches and just by being there, believing in myself and continuing to fight, I took them in the end.
“I had no nerves, I have believed in myself a lot since the first game and I knew where I could go and that’s it.
“My psychologist gave me a couple of tips and we have been working focused on the same line for a long time.”
Unfortunately, Davidovich Fokina will not be playing in Barcelona but will hopefully be back in time for his home Masters in Madrid beginning 1st May.
Photo credit Ray Giubilo
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