LONDON: Fabio Fognini has announced his immediate retirement from tennis at the age of 38.
The former top 10 player held a press conference at The All England Club on Wednesday afternoon where he announced his departure from the Tour. Fognini’s decision comes just over a week after he took Carlos Alcaraz to five sets at Wimbledon before losing 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, in the first round. He was playing in his 62nd Grand Slam main draw.
“Today is something official. I say goodbye to everybody. It’s something that was on my mind already. I think is the best way to say goodbye,” Fognini told reporters.
“My dream was to finish next year in Monte-Carlo. The main goal was that one because I was able to win the tournament. I’m living really close to there.
“But it was not possible. I’m happy with the way I say goodbye to my professional tennis career. I did my best. Sometimes it was difficult. A lot of emotions are in my mind.“
Prior to his announcement, Fognini was yet to win an ATP main draw match this season. Although he has won two matches on the lower-level Challenger Tour. In comparison, during 2024 he achieved a win-loss record of 12-14.
“The last three years of my career, I was suffering a lot with injury. But as a competitor, I tried to do my best every time I stepped on the court.”
Fognini has been ranked as high as ninth in the world and won nine ATP titles during his career, including the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters. Whe he broke into the top 10 he was the first Italian man to do so since Corrado Barazzutti in 1979 and was continuously ranked inside the top 100 between April 13th 2009 and April 1st 2024. He is the first Italian man in history to have won a Masters 1000 title and currently has more ATP Tour-level wins (426) than any other player from his country.
“I was able to play in an era that probably is going to be the best era forever in the sport. I play against Roger, against Rafa, against Nole. Winning a slam for me was impossible. I have to be honest,” he reflected on his career.
In the Grand Slams, Fognini’s best run occurred at the 2011 French Open where he reached the quarter-finals whilst unseeded before having to withdraw from the tournament due to a left leg injury.
Fognini is married to Flavia Pennetta, who won the 2015 US Open title. They have three children.
