WIMBLEDON: Fabio Fognini has been slammed after being overheard saying that he wished a bomb would explode at the Wimbledon Championships.
The 12th seed was in a foul mood during his 6-3, 7-6912), 6-3, loss to America’s Tennys Sandgren. Complaining about being placed on Court 14. After dropping the first set, the angry Italian erupted once again. This time saying that a bomb should be dropped onto the grand slam before taking aim at the ‘damn English.’
‘It’s fair to play here? Damn English, really. Damned, really.” Fognini moaned in Italian.
“‘Wish a bomb would explode on this club. ‘A bomb should explode here.’
Fabio Fognini, down two sets to Sandgren, is NOT happy that #Wimbledon put him on Court 14.
"A bomb should explode here." pic.twitter.com/EBnLwGHOPP
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 6, 2019
Following his match, the 32-year-old tried to play down the comments when questioned by media. Sidestepping a few questions, Fognini apologized before saying he needs to focus on the rest of the year.
“Most of the time when you’re on the court, you’re frustrated.” He said. “For sure I was not happy about my performance today because I was knowing I have a lot to win in this case, because I think I had a good chance to win.”
“Something happen on the court, if I feel sorry for somebody, I have to say sorry. Now I have to be focused on the second half of the season.”
It isn’t the first time Fognini has been in hot water at a grand slam. During the 2017 US Open, he was fined $96,000 for verbally abusing a match umpire. Calling them a ‘whore’ and ‘cocksucker.’ Something the grand slam board described as ‘extremely derogatory and misogynistic language.’
Fognini is still serving a two-year suspended sentence concerning his US Open behavior and could still be banned if he breaks any more rules. When asked if his bomb comment counted as a ‘major offense,’ he declined to say anymore. Apologizing if he has offended anybody.
During the match, Fognini also had to have a medical time out after causing his hand to bleed by punching a tennis racket. When asked how it was afterward, he replied ‘pain.’
An investigation could be launched and there is a chance that Fognini will receive a fine by the tournament.
Full interaction with the press
Q. Were you unhappy about being put on Court 14? Do you think it should have been a bigger court?
FABIO FOGNINI: That’s the schedule. Schedule like that. Nothing to say.
Q. You were caught saying in Italian, Damn English, I wish a bomb would explode on this club. It was clear you were angry about what happened?
FABIO FOGNINI: Yeah, the court was not really good. You know, you play sport?
Q. Not as well as you.
FABIO FOGNINI: Well, most of the time when you’re on court, you’re frustrated. For sure I was not happy about my performance today because I was knowing I have a lot to win in this case, because was I think I have a good chance to win.
Something happen on court, if I feel sorry for somebody, I have to say sorry. Now I have to be focused on the second half of the season.
Q. You’re currently serving a two-year suspended sentence, and if you commit a major offense…
FABIO FOGNINI: I just say to your colleague. Next question.
Q. Are you sorry you said that?
FABIO FOGNINI: I say sorry. If somebody feel offensive, I say sorry. No problem.
Q. How is your hand?
FABIO FOGNINI: I have pain now.
Q. Is there anything else you don’t like about Wimbledon? Because it’s quite a strong thing to say about a bomb.
FABIO FOGNINI: Nothing else. I just say everything to him.
Q. Do you know what constitutes a major offense?
FABIO FOGNINI: I just answered before.
Q. I’m just saying…
FABIO FOGNINI: Next question, please.
