Many changes that could pay big dividends for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | ATP Tour
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Many changes could pay big dividends for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Davidovich Fokina shows a new collaboration with Verdasco
August 09, 2024
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina crushes the forehand during his victory over Daniil Medvedev on Thursday in Montreal.
Written by Andrew Eichenholz
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina earned his biggest win of the season on Thursday at the Omnium Banque National presented par Rogers, where he upset third seed Daniil Medvedev.
“It has not been an easy year for me,” said the Spanish player in his court interview. “There are many changes in my life.”
One of those changes was his team. Davidovich Fokina has worked with coach Jorge Aguirre since the age of 11, but at Roland Garros who was number 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings Fernando Verdasco became his coach.
“I have been with him for many years and in the end, I think I was struggling not to continue in the rankings. [where] I was,” Davidovich Fokina, who reached World-high No. 21 last year, he told ATPTour.com. “I think we had our limits. I decided to change [to] Fer because I think I should have a top player who can tell me things that maybe my coach won’t say. Because in the end, the emotions and feelings and everything that Fernando has on the court throughout his career, he will be able to manage those moments.
“We started at Roland Garros, and we didn’t have much time together. But we work every day, and we enjoy each other, because we know each other [each other] very well, and I know his family, and he knows me. He knows my people around me, so we enjoy that.”
ADF THE SHOWSTOPPER 🕺@alexdavidovich1 he defeats Medvedev for the first time! @OBNmontreal | #OBN24 pic.twitter.com/ltpOpS2gtz
– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 8, 2024
When Davidovich Fokina was growing up, Verdasco was one of the best players in the world. The young Spaniard vividly remembers his coach’s memorable 2009 Australian Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, which Nadal won in five straight sets.
“The break he played was that he was 6/0 at the break and how he played that break, the whole game was amazing,” said Davidovich Fokina. “But we always talk about that and the game as well [Andy] With Murray, there are many games we can talk about, we are still talking about them.”
The pair first met at the 2019 Cinch Championships held at the Queen’s Club in London. Davidovich Fokina was participating in this competition for the first time and Verdasco was also there.
“I felt that he cared about me when we met,” said Davidovich Fokina. “All these years he has been talking to me, helping me. He was texting me all the time. I was thinking, ‘Oh, he helps me sometimes’, and then… I saw that he was training a lot, and I said, ‘Okay, I think this is my time to make a change, and I think this is the right time’. “
Verdasco explained that they have had a good relationship since they first met. When Davidovich Fokina called for help, the leftist said he would do everything possible.
“We ended up trying at Roland Garros, Queen’s and Wimbledon. “Even though he couldn’t play Wimbledon, we were happy to spend time together,” said Verdasco. “We had a good relationship from the beginning, it hasn’t changed at all. I think that’s the most important thing, that we had a good relationship before. In the end, communication is very important to be efficient and to understand each other in a simple way.”
It was not the only change in 2024 for Davidovich Fokina. The Spaniard moved to Monte-Carlo and got engaged.
“Well, in the end, it’s not easy, changes in your life,” said Davidovich Fokina. “I think that the reformers should have a little time to process everything, to settle down and make sure what they want. And finally, I’m very, very happy with the team I have right now with Fer. I think he helps me a lot and in the end, having one guy next to you who was one of the best guys on the Tour, for me, is a big help.”
The suspect, 25, was smiling widely when discussing his engagement in January with his fiancée, Paloma. He said he was more nervous at the time than closing out Medvedev in Montreal, and it wasn’t very close.
“It is very important. Finally, you always dream of that, to have a family, and we moved to Monte-Carlo again. Then we left Spain,” said Davidovich Fokina. “Everything is new in my life now. It’s not always easy [figuring out] how to adapt to it, because in the end all my life, I have been in Spain. I was in my comfort zone, and stepping outside of my comfort zone is not easy. But I think I’m adapting pretty well. Ultimately, things will not come quickly. We have to wait for it and fight for it.”
