Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will hope to spring a surprise on Thursday at Roland Garros, where he faces former finalist Casper Ruud in the second round.
The Spaniard, who reached the quarter-finals in Paris in 2021, is looking to kickstart his season this fortnight, with his best result in 2024 a quarter-final run in Dubai. Ahead of his fifth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Ruud, the No. 32 player in the PIF ATP Rankings caught up with ATPTour.com to discuss his impressive cooking skills, favourite meal and much more...
Let’s say you have to cook tonight, either for yourself or friends. What do you cook and why?
Maybe I will do some sushi and I want to now to learn to do pizzas. Then for sure if I had both options it is going to be good.
How would you rate your cooking skills?
I'm very good. One to 10, maybe I will be humble and say eight. I need to improve a few things still, but since I'm living alone I cook for myself every day. I have been cooking since 18.
Are you strict with your diet?
The last year maybe was more restricted because I understand that I need to take care of my body. I realised that if I'm one kilo, two kilos more than I have to be, I struggle on court. Then I'm slower and have less energy. I understand that if I'm on my weight, I have more energy, I smile more, I'm happier.
What do you eat before a match and how many hours before do you play?
Rice and chicken with no sauce. Even the dinner the day before, no sauce. I try to eat three hours before and then if the match before you goes long, I have a small plate or a snack.
What do you eat on court and how often do you eat?
I have my own things on court with gels. I'm doing gels per time, so every 45 minutes I know I have to eat this and then by 90 minutes something else.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I'm really good when I'm on my weight, but it is tough not to cheat on something, some dessert or something. I'm trying just one scoop or something and that's it. But it's tough because I love to eat and I love to try new things then. I understand that is one of the sacrifices that I have to do. But my cheat meal would be to go to McDonald's and eat some McNuggets and French fries.
Is there anything you can’t eat/don’t like?
I can’t eat mushrooms. The smell, the texture. Nothing about mushrooms I like. But I like truffles.
If you go to one of your favourite restaurants, what do you order?
Italian is my favourite. I love to have pasta and I cook very good pasta. I love the Italian cuisine. I think it's the best one in the world. I also like Sushi and Japanese food. I think this season, maybe we will go to Tokyo to eat the food.
What is the best meal from your country?
We have a lot of options. Maybe Tortilla with cheese. We also have good fish, but I think the best for me is tortilla.
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