Felix Auger-Aliassime Criticizes Wimbledon Rule After Match Against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked 4th in the world and 25 years old, defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 27 and ranked 23rd in the ATP, in a tense fourth-round match at Wimbledon. The final score was 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-1. Post-match, Auger-Aliassime took issue with a regulation that allowed Fokina to receive medical treatment during a game in the fourth set, implying that the Spanish player took undue advantage of the situation.
The match saw a heated moment in the fourth set followed by a less-than-friendly exchange at the net after the conclusion of the contest. Auger-Aliassime expressed his frustration about the rule at a press conference, stating, “This rule is an absolute disgrace,” referring to the provision that allowed Fokina to halt play to attend to a left ankle issue.
At the time of the medical timeout, the score was 15-40, with Fokina holding two break points, after Auger-Aliassime had failed to convert two match points on Fokina’s serve in the previous game. Suddenly, Fokina appeared to limp and then laid back, gripping his ankle. A physiotherapist promptly attended to him on the court and later at his chair.
Following the break, Auger-Aliassime made a double fault, which ultimately led to a tie in sets, setting up a decisive fifth set, where Auger-Aliassime won 6-1. Clearly displeased with Fokina’s actions, he conveyed his sentiments during their handshake at the net. Although he initially offered his hand, he later declined to shake Fokina’s hand again when Fokina approached him before leaving the court.
Auger-Aliassime Calls for Rule Change
At the press conference, Auger-Aliassime remarked, “I don’t want to go into detail about my interactions with him. If he wants to come here and talk, he can do that. But he knows what my opinion is.” He went on to say, “This rule needs to change. As long as things stand this way, a player will use it to their advantage. Stopping in the middle of the opponent’s serve to call the physiotherapist seems to me a disgrace. I don’t know any sport where this is allowed.”
Davidovich did not engage in the controversy but provided clarity on the injury he has dealt with throughout the grass season. “I sprained my ankle during practice in Monte Carlo, where I live, and it’s something I’ve been facing every day. I haven’t had time to rest for even three days in a row. I take Voltaren every day,” he explained to Movistar+.
Davidovich Discusses Injury Details
He mentioned that the situation is now in the hands of medical professionals. “I will undergo an MRI, but the issue only arises with a specific movement when I slide and my foot twists inward; that’s the only time it occurs, and that happened today during the match against Auger-Aliassime,” he noted.
Davidovich elaborated on the pain he experiences and how he can suddenly return to playing normally. “I can’t control certain movements, so when my foot moves like that, I see green stars for 30 or 40 seconds. Then, it seems like the pain disappears, and I feel nothing,” he shared. He emphasized the need to assess the extent of the issue and plans to continue his career on grass until 2026, cherishing his journey on this surface. He recently secured his first ATP title in Mallorca after five previous final losses, including four in 2024, two of which he held match points but could not convert.
