Fognini, the eternal master who flees retirement

Óscar Belloch | 8 Dec 2024 | 21.15

Fabio Fognini. Photo: Getty.

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Dear and hated in equal parts, what puts us all in agreement is that Fabio Fognini is a unique tennis player. The Italian has shared his entire career with the best in history, and among the Big 3 players, he only managed to defeat Rafa Nadal, although it was up to four times. Now, with a younger and new ATP top 100, Fabio is among the only five who are 36 years or older.

With a good serve, one of the most elegant ball touches, deep shots from any angle on the court, and a genius that has earned him the 'bad boy' reputation, Fabio Fognini is the epitome of pure talent. He is one of the players whose career has been marked by a unique personality that has given him his own charisma and unpredictability—a double-edged sword that can either benefit him greatly or condemn him in the same match.

- A record within reach of a few

If ten years ago we were told that this peculiar player would still be active and within the top 100 (ranked 91) at 37 years of age, we probably wouldn't believe it, as at times it seems like tennis doesn't suit him. However, it is clear that his love for tennis goes beyond the financial aspect. By the end of 2024, Fabio has achieved finishing 17 seasons within the top 100, a record he shares with Ivan Lendl, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Fernando Verdasco, being surpassed by only ten greats: Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Richard Gasquet, Gael Monfils, Novak Djokovic, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Fabrice Santoro, Feliciano López, and Stan Wawrinka—the only ones with more years in the top 100 than him, placing him among the legends of the sport.

- A new opportunity

Aware that he is in the final stage of his career, Fabio has chosen not to retire by participating in Challenger-level tournaments but to make the most of the high level he still possesses and prove on the court that he remains a competitive player to be reckoned with. In his list of achievements, he has that Masters 1000 where he reached the pinnacle in Montecarlo in 2019, delivering a superb performance against Nadal in the semifinals. That was his last ATP tournament of the nine he holds in total, but he has no problem winning Challengers. This year, he hasn't left empty-handed and has triumphed at the Montemar Challenger.

Italian tennis is experiencing a great moment and has an exciting future, but Fabio Fognini is still part of a present that does not forget one of its most historic figures. At some point, he hinted at retirement, especially after two challenging years of results; however, something in his mind has changed, and he is determined to maintain his level until his body says enough.