Alex de Minaur has addressed a heartwarming moment from his Washington victory that went viral. The world No. 8 saved three championship points to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Sunday, sealing a 5-7 6-1 7-6(3) victory and lifting his 10th career title. But it was a bruising loss for Davidovich Fokina, who still doesn't have a tour title to his name and also blew match points in another final.

After clinching victory, De Minaur approached his rival and sat on his bench, consoling a crying Davidovich Fokina. He then gave a classy victory speech, telling the Spaniard he would soon lift his own trophy. And the Aussie has now spoken out on his touching gesture.

There's no rest for the wicked, as De Minaur is getting straight back to it at the Masters 1000 in Toronto, where he is a former finalist. Ahead of his campaign, the world No. 8 explained why he wanted to console Davidovich Fokina in Washington.

"Before tennis players, we're human beings, right?" the 26-year-old told Tennis TV.

"And I knew nothing I said in that moment would help at all, but I just wanted to let him know how good of a player and how he's on the up, nonstop, he's improving, he's playing some incredible tennis, and he's way too good of a player not to have a title."

Just three days after he completed an impressive comeback against Davidovich Fokina to be crowned the Washington champion, De Minaur will play his opening match in Toronto against Francisco Comesana.

Reflecting on his run to this 10th career title, he said: "It was a pretty good week, a perfect week. They don't come often, so extremely proud of the efforts, of the mindset throughout the whole tournament.

"I thought I played some great tennis and managed to sneak away with a title in Washington, so body and mind are a little tired, but we're ready to go again."

Davidovich Fokina might have been crushed by his defeat in the championship match, but there were no hard feelings between him and De Minaur.

After their touching moment on the bench, the Aussie paid tribute to his opponent in his victory speech. "You're way to good to not have one of these. It's coming for sure," De Minaur told the world No. 19.

"You deserved it today. I just got lucky. You are a hell of a competitor, a hell of a player. No one on the tour wants to play you. This is not the end, this is only going up for you."

They then shared a private jet to Toronto. While De Minaur takes on Comesana, Davidovich Fokina will start his quest for a maiden title against Corentin Moutet, who reached the Washington semi-finals as a lucky loser before losing to De Minaur.

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