The Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals puts the spotlight on the best U-21 players in the world. The charismatic Fabio Fognini, 35, may be more than a decade above the qualification bar, but he was delighted at the Allianz Cloud on Tuesday with his wife Flavia Pennetta.
“It’s beautiful. Milan is a beautiful city,” Fognini said. “For tennis, especially being in Italy, it is very important to have these guys. [italianos] dominating the world.”
???????? @fabiofogna supporting @ Lorenzo1Musetti ????@Intesa Sanpaolo #NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/eRHsO2WHba
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) November 8, 2022
Three Italian players participate in the tournament: Lorenzo Musetti, Francesco Passaro and Matteo Arnaldi. Another Italian, Jannik Sinner, won the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals in 2019. Fognini was watching his countryman Musetti on courtside on Tuesday.
“It’s always nice. I always say that the more we are, the better,” said Fabio. “There are three Italians: Lorenzo [Musetti], [Francesco] Passaro y Matteo [Arnaldi]. It is very important for us”.
Fognini added that it is key to have not only successful Italian players, but prestigious tournaments in the country to continue encouraging young people to start in the sport.
“It is essential to have these types of tournaments where young people have the opportunity to play,” said Fognini. “At the same time, we have young guys who are at the top and play really well. It’s nice and fantastic. It’s a great tournament.”
