FABIO FOGNINI has announced his retirement from tennis aged 38.
The Italian maverick decided to hang up his racquet following his epic first round exit to Carlos Alcaraz last week.
GettyFabio Fognini has announced his retirement from tennis[/caption]
AFPFognini, 38, hugs Carlos Alcaraz after their five-set epic[/caption]
Two-time defending champion Alcaraz required nearly four-and-a-half hours to defeat Fognini on day one of Wimbledon.
Having since gone back to Italy and considered his future, Fognini decided to call it a day.
After returning to Wimbledon, Fognini confirmed in a press conference that his match with Alcaraz was his last, admitting: “It’s the best way to say goodbye.”
After the first round epic, the Spaniard gushed over his wily opponent: “I told him that I have big respect for him. He’s the best.
“I have big respect for him. Everything that he has done in his career, what he has done today.
“I love watching him play. I’m just glad to have shared the court once again with him, that I have shared the locker rooms, the tournament with him.
“Just amazing. I have big respect for him.”
Following his battle with Alcaraz, Fognini said: “It was really emotional. I have to be honest, I cried in the locker room. I cried.
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“Because, as I say, I didn’t expect play five set against him. I have to be honest.
“The way I was coming here, I had no expectation because since I started this year, after the injury, I was playing really badly. I didn’t win so many matches.
“So I say, okay. I was seven out at the beginning here in Wimbledon. I got in (to the main draw) few last.
“I said before, there is no better way to play in this court with a great champion that I have a lot of respect for.”
Fognini peaked at No9 in the world rankings in 2019 and earned around £14million in career prize money.
The flamboyant veteran’s biggest tournament win in singles came in Monte Carlo six years ago, while he also triumphed in the Australian Open men’s doubles in 2015.
Fognini’s greatest tournament triumph came in Monte Carlo six years agoRex Features
GettyThe Italian had several feisty battles with Andy Murray[/caption]
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Fognini confirmed that he had planned to play on until Monte Carlo next year, but changed his mind following last week’s match.
After the Alcaraz match, John McEnroe urged Fognini to retire live on the BBC following a chat with the Italian’s former US Open champion wife Flavia Pennetta.
The American, 66, said: “This was the perfect ending for Fognini.
“Luckily for Alcaraz, towards the end of the fourth set, the crowd realised that Fognini was playing unbelievable.
“Carlos looked more tired than Fognini even though there’s a 16-year age gap! What in the hell is going on here?
“So the crowd started rallying behind Alcaraz and that picked him up a little bit.
“I almost hope that [Fognini] doesn’t play anymore because I’m not sure he can play any better than that.
“I played Flavia Pennetta in seniors mixed doubles at the French Open and she thinks it’s time for Fabio to be at home more with the kids.
“I think she is ready for her husband to be home more.”
Fognini had several incredible battles with British hero Andy Murray, and actually finished with a 5-4 winning record against the two-time Wimbledon champion.
The fiery star also famously came back from two sets down to stun Rafael Nadal at the US Open in 2015.
PA:Empics SportRafael Nadal was stunned by Fognini at the 2015 US Open[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
