HAMBURG – Behind the character Nick Kyrgios plays on TV and social media, there’s a good person. That’s what Alejandro Davidovich Fokina believes. In this interview with CLAY, conducted during the ATP 500 in Hamburg, the Spaniard of Russian descent also shares his thoughts on several key figures on the tour.
“If he played more, he’d be a potential top 10. Kyrgios is one of the best players in the world when he’s at his top level. But by far, the hardest thing in tennis is staying consistent,” said Davidovich Fokina.
He feels something has changed in his life and career. After years of getting close, he believes 2025 could finally be the year of his first title. “Every week I try to go deeper in tournaments and beat better players, but above all, I try to enjoy myself on court and bring out my best version,” said the 25-year-old just days before Roland Garros — the tournament of his dreams — kicks off.
He lashed out at WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) for its mismanagement and criticised the brief tribute to Rafael Nadal in his hometown of Málaga, calling it “very sad.”
And as a counterbalance to the intensity of the tour, he revealed his big plan for after Paris: his wedding. “My fiancée is sorting out the final details. I’ve got my suit already — I got it done in Rome,” he said with a mix of excitement and calm.
Interview with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina– You’ve been very close to winning a title on several occasions. How do you deal with the mix of hope and pressure that comes with being so close?
– This is the year I’ve felt closest to winning that first title. The year is still long, there are many tournaments, and obviously every week I try to go further and beat better players. But above all, I try to enjoy being on court and give my best version.
– You’ve had some very important wins this year, like against Fritz and Rublev. Was there any change in your game or in how you approach matches that’s helped you take that step forward?
– It all started in May last year, when I left the coach I’d had my whole life and decided to make a change. I moved from Spain to Monaco, where the top players train, and I rebuilt my team. It’s true that until November someone from the old team was still with me, but it felt like starting from scratch. It wasn’t easy. I was pretty out of it, wanting the season to end because the decision wasn’t easy, but I don’t regret for one second stepping out of that comfort zone and facing those fears.
– How did you face them? What kind of mental work did you do?
– When I was younger I worked more with a psychologist, but I haven’t done that in a long time. I don’t think it helped me much. It’s more about a shift inside you and what you want to do. In the end, if you decide to do something, it doesn’t matter if 20 people tell you. And if you don’t want to do it, you won’t. The only way to face those fears is to decide for yourself that you don’t need anyone’s help to do it. And that’s what I did.
– Speaking up helps too, right? In a post-match interview after failing to close it out — and even serving underarm when you were close to match point — you were very honest and said: “I shit myself”
– After Wimbledon, yes. It was a very tense moment, and I admitted it was a mistake, but that’s how it goes. At other times, I don’t feel that pressure or don’t go for the underarm serve, and nothing happens.
– If you could choose any tournament to win your first title… which one would it be?
– Roland Garros.
– How do you handle the pressure with that tournament so close? Do you feel like a Grand Slam turns everything up, like it’s another dimension?
– All Grand Slams are very special for everyone, and you have to play best-of-five… At the end, I’m one of the players with the best percentage in long matches, so it doesn’t feel that tough. Of course, I’d like to win more matches in straight sets, but everyone plays well. There are lots of ups and downs. Matches are long, so it’s normal to lose a set or two. You have to adapt to the situation.
– What did you think of Nadal’s very brief farewell in your hometown, Málaga? The tribute in Roland Garros seems like it’ll make up for that, at least in part.
– I thought it was really sad. I think they had a proper farewell planned for later, but since Spain lost in the first round, it turned out like that. When I saw it, I said: “A tennis legend doesn’t deserve a sendoff like that.” And not just in tennis, but off the court too. For me, every tournament in the world should honour him. Roland Garros is one of them. Nadal is the one who’s won this Slam the most, so it’ll surely be a beautiful moment.
– Many criticize Zverev and say he lacks fire. Do you think the German shrinks in big moments?
– He’s a great player, just look at his titles: he’s won the Masters Finals and several Masters 1000s. Once he gets a Grand Slam, he’ll believe in himself more, he’ll have the chance to be number one, and all the fears or doubts in his head will go away. We’ll see another Zverev.
– Is it true what Sinner says? That after his positive doping test became public, players in the locker room started looking at him differently?
– I haven’t paid too much attention to Sinner. I get along with him and I have nothing against him. But it’s true that WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] is handling things poorly—not necessarily in Sinner’s case, but in general, because there are a lot of conflicts of interest. Things could definitely have been handled differently. There are many things they do wrong and don’t fix, like the fact that if you miss three tests because you’re not present, you get suspended for one or two years. I think it’s pretty harsh that we have to be available at a specific time every day [for a test], and if you forget or have a flight, it becomes a whole ordeal… That system should really change.
– When you listen to Kyrgios, do you take him seriously? Or do you think he’s been consumed by the character?
– I don’t know Kyrgios, I haven’t had any interaction with him. Obviously, if he played more, he’d be a potential top 10. He already showed that in the Wimbledon final. But to be one of the best, you have to be consistent and can’t have those ups and downs. He’s also had injuries. I think Kyrgios is one of the best players when he’s at his peak, but like I said, tennis gives and takes away. Stripping off the character, I think he’s a good guy.
– Speaking of tennis giving and taking… what’s the hardest part of this sport?
– Staying at the top. Many players get there, but staying is the hardest thing.
– How do you deal with a loss? Do you isolate, do something else, move on quickly?
– Now I know how to handle losses well. I know that in tennis, you win and lose every week, and you have to manage that. If you’re well supported, your team understands that. They know you’ll have another shot the following week. It’s about seeing it as a process, learning from your mistakes, and correcting them.
– Does the ranking weigh on you? Or do you try not to think about it?
– It weighed on me more when I was ranked 70, at the beginning of the year. I think I’m lucky to be where I am now and it doesn’t bother me. I want to keep moving forward and enjoy every week. I have to stay humble with every moment and everything that happens around me.
– Have you gone through rough patches or moments where you thought it wasn’t worth continuing?
– Last year I had a moment like that. If I’d known what was coming, I would’ve signed for that bad end of the year to start the best year of my career. In the end, going out there and losing over and over made me stronger.
– Do you have plans after Roland Garros? Maybe a short break?
– I’m getting married, between Roland Garros and Queen’s. That’s my main focus after Paris, making sure everything is ready and enjoying it. My fiancée is taking care of the details now, but once Roland Garros is over, I’ll be there supporting her.
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– Have you tried on the suit?
– Yes, I did that in Rome.
– Are you nervous, or are you taking it easy?
– I’m very calm about it. I’ll probably get more nervous once we’re in the middle of the preparations. But we’re happy. I know we’ve done everything right, step by step.
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