US OPEN

September 2, 2022

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Press Conference

A. DAVIDOVICH FOKINA/D. Elahi Galan

6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Four sets over three hours. Your thoughts on the match and moving forward now to the next round.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Well, I knew that Daniel was playing very good. He had all crowd with him. I knew it was going to be a tough match.

But after the first set I was mentally stronger. Physically I was doing very good, but in the end of the second set I get a little bit tense and he managed to win that set.

But after the second set, I went to the bathroom to reset my mind, and I was focusing more out of the game than on the game.

In the third and fourth set I play very well. I enjoy every moment. I was focusing on every point. I didn't care about the score.

You know, I'm happy for the win. Now looking forward to play against Berrettini. He's a very good player. He's one of the top, and for sure I will enjoy to play against him and to fight and to try to win the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Seemed like you had a little bit of a conversation with Galan at net. Curious what it was about and if everything was resolved.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Sorry?

Q. There was a bit of a conversation with Galan at net. Curious what it was about and if everything was resolved.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Oh, no, nothing happens there. He serves and when he do ace or he win the point with the serve, he want the same ball. Then one time I did the joke to don't pass him that ball. I laugh; he laughs.

The second one he get mad about I then do to get mad at him. I was like I want to feel my forehand and you will get that ball to your side, and nothing happens. I just say to him, I'm sorry if you get mad. Nothing more.

Q. Wondering what it was like having the energy of his fans on Court 17 today.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Well, it was all country of Colombia there. It was not easy to play today there. It was a lot of noise, and they were supporting him every point. I knew that's going to happen, because two days ago he play against Thompson, and I was next. Then I hear all the screaming and everything.

Then I knew it was going to be a tough match. I just prepare mentally better to that match, because I knew it's going to be a hard one.

Q. Looking ahead to the next match, what are your thoughts? What are your feelings going into that one?

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Against Matteo, we play once, and the week before US Open we practiced together. We knew each other well, and for sure gonna be a tough battle. He's playing very good obviously. To be in the second week of a Grand Slam it's because you are playing very good.

Now I'm with more confidence than the first day. I'm playing better and, you know, for sure I will enjoy that match against Matteo, because I want it. I want to be there and fight.

Q. Do you feel more comfortable and confident in the second week of the US Open, going into the second week of this year's US Open to a couple of years ago?

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Yes, physically I'm stronger. Mentally I'm stronger. Nothing to compare to like two years ago. Now I understand more the game. For me it's different how to recover after the match, how to start the match, how to manage the five sets. Then it's completely different.

Q. I have a question about Nick Kyrgios. You faced him at Cincinnati. Wonder if you can tell me how difficult it is to face him right now. What are some of the things that he's doing very well?

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Well, obviously I think he's one of the greatest serves that is on the tour. After what he did in the final of Wimbledon, you know, for sure he has a lot of confidence with his self. It seems that he enjoys to play in the big stadiums.

Like he's playing better and better every match. He's a tough opponent to beat here. Is going to be a tough one to beat in US Open. You know, I think is better player than one year ago, two years ago, for sure.

Q. You managed to stay on your feet today but you tend to dive for shots and fall down on the court a lot. Curious where that comes from and if sometimes those falls can be really hard to recover from in matches.

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: I just do it. I don't think about that. If I have to dive for or if I have to jump for one point to win one point, I don't care about my body (smiling). Sometimes I do everything to win that point. I just don't think about it.

Q. You say you don't care about your body, but you get a certain joy, happiness, out of playing that style of tennis; is that true?

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH FOKINA: Yeah, for sure. My body, you know, I say I don't care, but obviously I care. I know how to dive, you know, (smiling).

But I just enjoying the moments like this, no? If I have to dive, I have to stretch my legs. I don't care, because I know that physically I'm strong. Then I knew I'm gonna recover from that.