Fabio Fognini announces immediate retirement
The Italian veteran’s final match was a gripping five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon
Fabio Fognini, Wimbledon, 2025 © SPP / Psnewz
Fabio Fognini has played his final tennis match.
Having bowed out of this year’s Wimbledon in a superb contest against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the first round, the Italian veteran has now decided that this was the perfect way to say goodbye.
Fognini, 38 years old, had already announced at his home Masters tournament in Rome that he would leave the sport in the next twelve months.
But in an impromptu press conference held in London this morning, Fognini announced that the end had in fact already arrived.
“Today is something official. I say goodbye to everybody,” he said.
“It was the perfect way to say goodbye to this sport. I was able to play in an era that probably is going to be the best era forever in the sport. I played against Roger, against Rafa, against Nole. Winning a Slam for me was impossible. I have to be honest.
“My best dream was finishing next year in Monte-Carlo. The main goal was that one because I was able to win the tournament. I’ve grown up there. But that’s it. It was not possible.”
The Italian has been an absolute gift to tennis over the past 21 years that he has been a professional player. With a dynamic, swashbuckling style and a mercurial, often tempestuous temperament, Fognini had a natural magnetism that earned him fans wherever he played across the globe.
He leaves the tour with nine titles to his name – the biggest of which was a notable victory at the 1000-level event in Monte-Carlo – and achieved a career-high ranking of No 9 in July 2019.
While on paper it was a first-round exit, Fognini’s wonderful battle against Alcaraz feels like the most fitting farewell for this player.
He displayed some of his finest talent across the course of that epic contest, eventually bowing out to who is undisputedly the present and future of tennis.
“I’m happy the way I say goodbye to the professional tennis career,” Fognini added.
“I did my best. It is difficult now to say a lot of words. There is a lot of emotion in my mind.”
Fognini will be missed, but his legacy and game will leave a warm mark on this sport for many years to come.
Bravo, Fabio.
