"Davidovich is not a Top 10 player"

Alejandro Davidovich is on everyone's lips after winning his first Masters 1000 title in Shanghai. The player from Málaga surprised everyone by first defeating Alexander Zverev, the next number one, in the semifinals and then coming back in the final against Rafael Jódar, while being a set down and a break down.

This new version of the Spaniard, more mature, calm, and with the physicality to match, has made him the best tennis player on the Asian tour, as just weeks before lifting the title in Shanghai, he secured the ATP 250 in Chengdu. These results have allowed him to reach the best ranking of his career in the ATP standings: 13th place. While he has options, albeit minimal, to fight for the ATP Finals.

Davidovich has achieved his first three ATP titles in 2026

Considering 'Foki's' level over the past month, many believe he has not yet reached his peak; however, others, like Sam Querrey, former world number 11, expressed on the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast that he has already reached his maximum: “I think this is his potential; we have just seen his potential. No, he is like a player ranked 12. But he could reach the top 10. Anyone can reach the top 10 these days; if you sneak into the top 10 and stay at number nine for three weeks, and for the rest of your career you’re out of the top 10, are you a top 10 player? His potential is to reach the top 10; he is not a top 10 player.”

But his compatriot, John Isner, former world number 8, had a more favorable opinion of the Málaga player: “He felt comfortable after winning his first title; once you get the first one, that pressure, that weight disappears. We all know how talented he is and the high level at which he can play. He has suffered many painful losses in finals. The one that comes to mind is last year’s final in Washington D.C. It took him a long time to get over it, but once he won his first title, it seems like no one can stop him now.”

In Isner's case, he doesn't dare to predict as much as Querrey, but he sees Davidovich as capable of winning more titles: “He could be a player who wins two titles a year over the next four or five years; he’s that good. I’m not going to say he will retire with five 1000-point titles or anything like that, but he is playing at a very high level.”

The moment it started to sink in...🥹 Come behind-the-scenes with @alexdavidovich1 and his team on a historic night in Shanghai! #RolexShanghaiMasters https://t.co/Y0AMJraPJD

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 20, 2026

Additionally, they discussed the controversy Davidovich had with his former coach, Mariano Puerta, with whom he abruptly parted ways during the French Open: “I have no idea if he needed it; but it was funny! Do you remember when Puerta got on the plane with a glass of champagne and said something like, ‘Basically, I can’t stand you anymore’? Now it’s Davidovich Fokina who gets the last laugh!,” Querrey added.

While he doesn’t see him as a regular top 10, Querrey also praised the current state of the Málaga player: “He always slides to the ground and gets up on his back; he’s a master of the shot! He is very athletic, diving everywhere. A phenomenal comeback on his part; it’s often seen that when a player achieves a great victory, like when he defeated Alexander Zverev, the next victory is the hardest. That he overcame that situation and took this title is extremely important, and now he’s in the running for a spot in Turin.”

While Isner concluded with another great compliment for Alejandro Davidovich: “Earlier this year he had quite a public fallout with his coach; it didn’t seem like a mutual separation. I think that helped him stabilize, to move on from the past. It was like a fresh start. I’m not saying his coach was wrong or anything like that, but it was a good way for him to recover mentally, and it has certainly helped him a lot.”
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Davidovich no es un jugador Top 10”