Retired tennis star Fabio Fognini lost to Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller in his final match at Wimbledon, and he admits he would have been in trouble had he beaten the Spaniard at SW19
Fabio Fognini retired from tennis upon the advice of John McEnroe following his valiant defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon. The 38-year-old drew the curtain on his 21-year career in July after his thrilling first-round loss to the Spanish sensation – but he claims there was a silver lining.
The six-time Grand Slam winner needed five sets to beat the Italian veteran, with favourite Alcaraz’s progression to the next stage appearing uncertain at times during their encounter.
However, a dominant last set which he won 6-1 secured his place in the second round, where he eventually reached the final for a third year in a row but lost to Jannik Sinner, who claimed his first title at the All England Club.
Fognini was already in his final professional season, but after such an unforgettable clash against Alcaraz, Wimbledon commentator McEnroe said at the time that his final appearance at SW19 would serve as a fitting farewell to his career.
Having spoken to Fognini’s wife, Flavia Pennetta, a former US Open champion, the American said his impressive performance against a player 16 years his junior and Pennetta’s desire for him to be at home more should be his last dance on a tennis court.
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“This was the perfect ending for Fognini,” McEnroe told the BBC. “Fortunately for Alcaraz, towards the end of the fourth set, the crowd realised that Fognini was playing unbelievably.
“Carlos looked more exhausted than Fognini despite there being a 16-year age difference! What on earth is happening 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.”
Just two months after hanging up his racket, Fognini opened up on the Supernova podcast, confessing that his loss to Alcaraz might have been a blessing in disguise. He admitted he would have found it mentally tough to face then-world No. 719 Oliver Tarvet in the second round had he triumphed over Alcaraz.
“I think I made the best decision,” Fognini said about calling time on his tennis career. “If things had gone differently, I would have had a big problem,” he said, referring to the prospect of defeating Alcaraz at that time.
“If I had won that match against Alcaraz, I would have had a day of rest and then faced the world’s number 700.
“It would have been a huge mental challenge for me to start Wimbledon with a win against the world’s number 2 on Centre Court and perhaps finish it on Court 14 against the world’s number 700.
“I was the loser in that match, but I came out a winner. I haven’t watched that match replay yet, not even the highlights, but I would like to in the future because the fans were impressed.”
