The tennis world has been left in awe over Alex de Minaur’s classy gesture toward his shattered opponent, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, following their Washington Open final on July 27, 2025. De Minaur clinched his 10th ATP title with a dramatic 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(3) victory, saving three championship points in a tense third-set tiebreak to edge out the Spaniard. Fokina, who has yet to win an ATP title and fell agonizingly short in his second final, was visibly devastated, breaking down in tears and burying his face in a towel after the match point.
Noticing Fokina’s distress, de Minaur went beyond the customary handshake, sitting beside him on the bench and wrapping an arm around his shoulder to offer words of encouragement. This heartfelt act has been widely praised, with sentiments across the tennis community describing it as a “beautiful” and “touching” display of sportsmanship. Fans and commentators have highlighted de Minaur’s humility, with many calling it one of the standout moments of the year, reflecting the positive spirit sport can inspire. The gesture came after a grueling match where Fokina’s three missed championship points—culminating in a desperate de Minaur scramble—left him emotionally shattered, making de Minaur’s consolation all the more significant.
This moment of class has further elevated de Minaur’s reputation, especially as he returned to the top 10 rankings at No. 10, while Fokina’s near-miss is expected to push him into the top 20. The Australian’s action stands out in a sport often criticized for its intensity, offering a humanizing contrast to competitive rivalries, and reinforcing his status as a respected figure on the ATP tour as he prepares for the US Open.
