Nadal praises Davidovich Fokina on Monte-Carlo run

Rafael Nadal has reached out to compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after the 22-year-old’s run to the Monte Carlo final.

In a memorable run Davidovich Fokina earned wins over Marcos Giron, World No 1 Novak Djokovic, David Goffin, Indian Wells titlist Taylor Fritz and 2018 former World No 3 Grigor Dimitrov. Davidovich Fokina was beaten in straight sets in the final but won himself a number of fans over the week. Nadal took to Instagram to congratulate his countryman in a simple message of congratulations.

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Fokina himself was inspired by Nadal as a kid watching the Spaniard lift 11 Monte-Carlo trohpies. Fokina himself admitted earlier this week that he loves playing in Monte-Carlo:

“This is a tournament I have always liked. I have seen the great moments of Rafael Nadal and his victories of him, and I thought that I wish one day I could be the one who lives that.”