Karen Khachanov revealed that he and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had "a little fight" early in their Barcelona Open match and that played a part in their confrontation.
In the Barcelona quarterfinal, the 27th-ranked Russian ousted the home favorite 6-4 7-5. The Spaniard led 5-2 in the second set but the Russian stormed back to win the next five games and complete a two-set win.
But even though he sealed the win, Khachanov appeared to be still unhappy with something and stopped Davidovich Fokina at the net.
“But you can understand it could be offensive?” the world No. 27 was heard saying at one point.
However, it never got physical – and not only that – but the two shared a hug after talking it all out.
Pequeño momento de tensión en la red al término del Davidovich-Khachanov.
Nada serio. Parece que Foki le dice algo al ruso por un punto pasado, y Khachanov señala que él siempre juega limpio.
Se dieron la mano sin problemas. pic.twitter.com/AntZc5UfrT
— José Morón (@jmgmoron) April 18, 2025
Khachanov: We were in a little bit of a fight
“Sometimes, okay, in the heat of the battle, the players are getting a little bit frustrated, let’s say. A little bit emotional, a little bit nervous. In a few games before we were in a little bit of a fight. Look, at the end of the day, I’m here to fight in a fair-play way so we sorted it out at the end. I don’t have any problem with him, to be honest. Okay, we said some things before, but after, we shook hands like a man and that’s it, it’s over," Khachanov explained.
Some speculated that Khachanov may have been unhappy with Davidovich Fokina not apologizing for a net cord. Others thought that it was maybe the Spaniard's passionate celebration at times.
