Fognini speaks at Wimbledon: "My greatest wish is for Djokovic to win another Grand Slam, he is a great person"

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Fabio Fognini returned to Wimbledon 2026 one year after ending his professional career. The Italian, now participating in the legends tournament, took advantage of an interview with Sportklub to reflect on his new life away from the circuit, the challenges of fatherhood, the growth of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and the great goal still pursued by Novak Djokovic.

Exactly twelve months ago, Fognini left Centre Court after coming close to one of the biggest victories of his recent career. He was on the verge of defeating Alcaraz in five sets and shortly after announced that the time had come to close a brilliant trajectory, marked by nine ATP titles, a Masters 1000 conquered in Monte Carlo, and an unforgettable spell in the world's Top-10. He now returns to the All England Club from a completely different perspective, enjoying tennis without the pressure of competition and experiencing a vital stage that, as he admits, is proving to be as enriching as it is demanding.

Fabio Fognini's Adaptation to Life After Tennis

Many athletes acknowledge that the moment to retire from competition represents one of the greatest challenges of their lives. After decades of organizing each day around training, travels, and tournaments, finding a new routine is not always easy. Fognini admits that this first year has been full of changes.

"The first thing I can say is that time passes incredibly fast, really," he explained. The Italian assures that he has practically set aside the racket since retiring. "I have done absolutely everything except play tennis. I have participated in some exhibitions and remain linked to the sport, but now I can also do all those things I enjoyed when I was competing."

Among these new hobbies are football, golf, and paddle tennis, sports that he could hardly practice for many years due to the demands of the ATP calendar. "I have played tennis a few times, but maybe four or five times throughout the year," he confessed. Returning to Wimbledon now provokes a feeling that is hard to describe. "Coming back here feels a little strange. I think, 'Wow, where am I?'"

Fognini Talks About Fatherhood

If there is one aspect that has completely transformed his daily life, it is family. Married to Grand Slam champion Flavia Pennetta and father of three children, Fognini acknowledges that the adaptation is not easy. "I try to enjoy life as a father. I am completely devoted to my family. It's a new stage for me, and believe me, it's not easy."

The Italian considers it crucial to share this experience with someone who also knows perfectly well the demands of professional sports. "I'm very glad that Flavia is with me because she also practiced the same sport and understands perfectly how everything works." Coexistence has also changed radically compared to the years when they both were competing.

"Now we are together at home every day. Everything revolves around the family. We constantly organize: you take one child to football, and I take the other to another activity. During our careers, we never experienced anything like this. It's a completely new experience, and it takes time to get used to it."

His words present a very different image from the competitive and tempestuous Fognini who often sparked tension on the court. Today, his biggest challenge is simply to find balance within a completely different family routine.

Support for Carlos Alcaraz and the New Tennis Rivalry with Sinner

Although he is no longer part of the circuit, Fognini remains very attentive to tennis news. The Italian recalled the match he played against Carlos Alcaraz just a year ago at Wimbledon and regretted that the Spaniard had to stop his season due to an injury. "Injuries are part of our sport. I'm sure he is not happy to have to stop, but if there is any risk, it is best to pause and prepare for a comeback."

Fognini even revealed a recent conversation with the Murcian. "I saw him in Miami and told him that when he came to Wimbledon, I would go to watch his first match on Centre Court. We had talked about it, but in the end, the injury came." Beyond focusing solely on Alcaraz, the Italian wanted to highlight the importance of the rivalry between the Spaniard and Jannik Sinner for the current state of tennis.

"I wish him a speedy recovery because I believe he and Jannik Sinner are making our sport incredibly exciting. It is a real pleasure to watch them play." His words reflect the widespread feeling that both are destined to leave a mark on an era, picking up the baton from an irreplaceable generation.

Fognini Believes Djokovic Will Achieve His Historic Dream

Fognini was fortunate to share the locker room with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic, so he knows perfectly well the scale of the era that has just ended. That is precisely why he does not hesitate to speak about the Serbian. "People adore Novak everywhere, but especially here. He has won 106 matches at Wimbledon and was the best player of our time."

The Italian also wanted to emphasize the human figure of the Serbian. "I know him very well. He is a great person, and it is fantastic to see that he is still competing." However, he believes there is a very specific reason that keeps the seven-time Wimbledon champion going. "My biggest wish is for him to have the opportunity to win another Grand Slam. I am convinced that this is exactly the reason he continues to play. If I know him well, that dream is what still drives him." An assertion that perfectly summarizes the scale of Djokovic's goal: to win his 25th Grand Slam and further expand a legacy that already seems unattainable.

A Farewell to Tennis Without Nostalgia, But Full of Gratitude

Unlike other great champions, Fabio Fognini does not convey a sense of missing daily competition. He speaks fondly of the circuit, continues to enjoy tennis as a spectator, and holds great admiration for those who continue to fight for the most important titles. However, his discourse primarily reflects the tranquility of someone who feels he has closed a chapter at the right moment.

His return to Wimbledon also serves to remember the huge legacy of one of Italy's most talented players of recent decades. He now observes the circuit from the outside, enjoys a much slower life with his family, and watches how a new generation, led by Sinner and Alcaraz, definitively takes the reins. Meanwhile, there is only one wish he holds as a fan: to see Novak Djokovic achieve that coveted 25th Grand Slam, which, in his view, remains the driving force for the Serbian champion.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fognini habla en Wimbledon: "Mi mayor deseo es que Djokovic gane otro Grand Slam, es una gran persona"