Davidovich-Fokina relishing Kyrgios challenge: "I increase my level and I prefer to play in those stadiums"

Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina will step on court with Nick Kyrgios at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Tuesday with the Aussie one of the most in-form players on tour right now.

Many would fear this challenge but it is one the Spaniard will relish and embrace.

“I always say that I prefer to play on the big stadiums,” Davidovich Fokina told ATPTour.com. “I increase my level and I prefer to play in those stadiums. With Kyrgios, who is a showman, it is for sure going to be a fun match to watch.”

“He’s playing very good. He’s on fire right now. For sure it is going to be a tough match. I will do my best. I will try to bother him on his serve, try my best and let’s see what happens.”

An interesting story, Davidovich Fokina has six tattoos including a tsunami and ying and yang and he hopes to translate both the aggression and calming energy onto the court.

“With my team and myself, we always say I am like a tsunami," he continued. “Where I go, I race. I just wanted to have it on my body to remember every day what that means.”

“A long time ago I was more like a tsunami off the court [too], I was more impatient. I want to do a lot of things at one time. Now I’m more quiet, more calm. Every year the energy is going down. I’m getting older! Now I’m starting to be more patient and I can transmit that to the court, too.”