Alejandro Davidovich Fokina advanced to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters after defeating Jack Draper in a hard-fought match on Thursday, but not before an unexpected moment during a live television interview.
Draper, aiming for a spot in the final eight following his earlier victory over Marco Giron, struggled to find his rhythm throughout the contest. Fokina secured the win with a score of 7-3, 6-7 (6-8), and 6-4.
During a post-match interview on Sky Sports, Fokina was candid about his performance and mental state. While expressing gratitude for the victory, he inadvertently used inappropriate language while discussing his inner struggles.
“Today presented a real challenge for me mentally,” Fokina admitted. “It felt like a rollercoaster. I believed my game was improving, but my mind was saying a lot of unhelpful things.” He continued, “I found it difficult to control my emotions today; playing here brings out a lot within me.”
He expressed regret for his behavior and acknowledged letting down those around him. “I didn’t show the respect I should have towards myself or my team, and I am truly sorry,” he stated. “I’m pleased with the win and will strive to improve tomorrow.”
Fokina also conceded that Draper had been the better player at times. “Honestly, today Jack could have won; his performance was superior to mine,” he acknowledged. “I battled through every point, managing to hold my serve in the first set and pushing myself to the limit during the final game. I’m satisfied with how I handled it.”
Draper appeared visibly frustrated at times throughout the match, frequently urging himself to “wake up” as his serving proved inconsistent. The Briton recorded only five aces while committing a significant ten double faults, opportunities that Fokina skillfully exploited.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Novak Djokovic issued an apology following his surprising defeat to Alejandro Tabilo earlier in the week. The former world number one described his performance as “horrible,” adding, “It was actually more like the worst day.” He lamented failing to meet expectations and expressed regret for the experience of those who witnessed it. “I knew I faced a tough opponent and anticipated a less-than-stellar showing, but this level of poor play was unexpected,” Djokovic admitted.
