Five months ago, Marton Fucsovics earned a dramatic five-set victory against Federico Coria at the Australian Open. However, it was not just his four-hour, 15-minute win that grabbed fans' attention.
After sealing victory, the Hungarian tore off his shirt and showed off his ripped physique, with the image going viral on social media. For Fucsovics, the attention was reward for the hard work he had put in during the offseason.
“I had a very bad year [in 2022]. I dropped outside the Top 100 and had to change my coach, so I was very motivated by the end of last year. I did a very, very hard offseason with a lot of fitness training,” said Fucsovics, who will play Novak Djokovic Wednesday in the second round at Roland Garros. “Lots of running and lots of weightlifting and then the result came out in January.
“People could see that the hard work had paid off. It went viral, worldwide. Everyone saw it. I found it funny but at the same time, it gave me a lot of confidence. So I felt really strong after that. Even stronger.”
Friend and Top 5 star Daniil Medvedev took the opportunity to demonstrate his sense of humour, jokingly replicating the Hungarian’s actions by showing off his leg muscles following his second-round win against John Millman in Melbourne.
"I think I'm just a 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒕 less muscles than him" 😅
Who did it better: Marton Fucsovics or Daniil Medvedev? 💪#AusOpen | @DaniilMedwed pic.twitter.com/ZC7p6JypwF
It was a moment Fucsovics reflects fondly on.
“It was funny and I think I retweeted it,” Fucsovics said. “That went viral as well. Daniil and I are good friends and that was quite fun.”
The eyes of the tennis world will be back on Fucsovics on Wednesday when he faces Djokovic in Paris. The World No. 83 prides himself on his physical strength and believes it has been a key factor behind some of his success this season.
“With my game style, the physical part is very important,” Fucsovics said. “I'm 31 years old and there are the younger guys coming up and they are hitting the ball without any fear and they always trying to play aggressively. With my experience, I think I can use my physical condition and I think that's the key in how I can beat them. Make them play and hang in there.”
The term ‘rest day’ is not one you will find in the 31-year-old’s vocabulary. When the Hungarian is not competing at events, he dedicates his time to the gym, stressing the importance it plays on both his physical and mental health.
“When I have an off week and I'm home, I never skip the gym,” the 2018 Geneva 2018 champion said. “Every day, gym day. Sometimes upper body and sometimes leg. But for me, it's very important. And when I'm at a tournament, and I have a day off, I always do a little bit of core training for exercises.
“I feel much stronger. When I work out, I look in the mirror and I can see that I'm strong. Mentally It has an effect.”
While few can question Fucsovic’s commitment to the sport, the former World No. 31 revealed he likes to treat himself at times.
“I eat everything. I enjoy pizza and burgers,” said Fucsovics, who reached the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2020. “I like to drink a couple of beers when I'm tired at the end of the day. Sometimes it's good to have one beer, it helps me relax. And then the next day I can start again.”
Fucsovics will be hoping he can follow in the footsteps of Thiago Seyboth Wild, who beat Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday, and earn another upset win at the major. If he can clinch the second Top-5 win of his career, he may reward himself with a cold beverage.