Davidovich Fokina Criticizes ATP Over Match Scheduling

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a Spanish tennis professional, has publicly criticized the ATP for their denial of his request to reschedule his third-round contest against Jakub Mensik at the National Bank Open held in Toronto.

The contest pitting Davidovich Fokina against Mensik is slated for 11:00 AM local time on Friday. Conversely, the remaining early matches for that day are scheduled to commence at 12:30 AM.

The 19th-seeded Spaniard used X to express his concerns. Davidovich Fokina mentioned that his lodging, along with his team, is approximately an hour’s commute from Sobeys Stadium, which necessitates an unusually early wake-up time.

“I wish to convey my deep disappointment and exasperation with the ATP. Tomorrow, every match is scheduled for 12:30 except ours, which is set for 11:00. Our accommodation is an hour’s distance from the venue, meaning we must arise extremely early to ensure optimal condition,” Davidovich Fokina stated.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina further elaborated that their appeal to postpone the match to 12:30 AM was rejected by the ATP.

“Our request for a modification was turned down, citing prior sales of tickets, TV broadcasting rights, and other considerations. This highlights that the players’ needs are secondary,” he added.

The Spanish player also claimed that despite repeated promises from the ATP to rectify issues, tangible progress remains absent.

“The ATP consistently pledges improvements, yet no substantive change occurs. This is a recurring issue, and one realizes the reality differs significantly from the external perception,” Davidovich Fokina concluded.