Few players produce such interesting reflections on the circuit as Fabio Fognini. Perhaps, of course, because many do not dare to get out of what is ‘politically correct’. That makes a guy unafraid to speak his mind delightful to read, even in those moments when you couldn’t disagree with him more. Shuts off at level ATP the flame of the Italian, one of the last guardians of a generation that has already given way to the strength and power of 21st century tennis. recovering from a Ankle injury that will force him to skip Monte Carlo, the tournament where he enjoyed his greatest success as a professional, the man from San Remo spoke in l’Ultimo Uomo about the difficulties of being a professional tennis player, his lack of enthusiasm for the next generation, his character and many more things in one unmissable interview.
Life as a tennis player after almost two decades on the circuit
“It’s a beautiful life, but also difficult. I’ve always said it, even if it sounds bad: I wish my son didn’t play tennis. I know what I’ve done, I know the sacrifices my parents have made… of course I would. for my children, for God’s sake, but at the same time it is something very hard. If you want to shine, you have to have a lot of dedication. Perhaps saying that it is something “hard” can be strong, because it is hard to get up at 4 in the morning to go to work and ours is a very beautiful life, but there are millions of difficulties. Being alone, far from home and friends. Traveling. Tiredness. Time differences. There are many moments that fans don’t see. Those who are close to us know how hard it is, and you have to get used to it from the time you are a child. I repeat, I wish my children do what they want and I will never force them to do anything, but this is a very hard life. At the same time, I know that we are lucky. To be able to earn the Living this way is a privilege, even if it’s not for everyone.
Spain, his “second home” and the improvement of Italian tennis
“Due to my personality, I always had difficult moments when I was growing up in Italy. The Federation always helped me, economically and with opportunities, but at a certain point I felt that my mentality was different, that they didn’t understand me. At 18 years old I told my parents that I was going to Spain, and Spain has become a second home for me. I would do it ten times more, not because I didn’t want to stay in Italy, but I felt that if I had to take the next step, I had to do it out. The Federation has always supported all the players here, but it didn’t have a technical base, which is now there. A lot has been invested in this aspect and the results show it, they are doing things that were missing at that time”.
The new generation of this sport and conflicting opinions
“I like Lorenzo (Musetti) and I see myself reflected in him in some things. I have a very good relationship with him, a special feeling, sometimes we train together. He has a lot of ease and solutions at the game level, but sometimes he gets entangled in himself, like me. We both have a hard time going back to basics,m being more solid and playing safer tennis. Sometimes having so many solutions is a bit difficult to handle. What can I say about the new generation? When I came to circuit 15 years ago, there was more humility. The players had more respect. A lot of youngsters seem to me like they’re trapped. They’ve earned respect on the court, but off it it seems like they’re in a bubble. Kids today, after two games they yell ‘C’mon’ in your face… it’s something I hate with all my heart, I can’t conceive of it.”
¿Ve tenis Fabio Fognini?
“When I’m at home I watch some tennis, yes, but not too much. My wife, my father and my brother-in-law, for example, watch it a lot more. I know the results, I keep up to date, but I don’t watch too many matches. I have other things to do I wish I had more time for my kids and my wife as our life has completely changed in six years I said I didn’t like tennis because I come from another school and I don’t really enjoy watching tennis the new generation and their way of playing tennis. However, it is possible that the problem is with me, since for various reasons I feel a bit distant towards these guys, and maybe I don’t understand them. That’s what I wanted to say I was misunderstood.”
Has the public misunderstood Fognini throughout his career?
“I know that I cannot please everyone. However, the most important thing for me, and it is something that I have always said and that I will always repeat, is that the day Fabio Fognini finishes his career, he will do so with his head held high. Maybe he can recriminate some things, yes, but he will do it because he has had a beautiful career and because he has never changed. I have always stayed true to myself, regardless of the results, the popularity or the news. I am proud of it, I think that It’s important. You can be Valentino Rossi, Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, if all that changes you, you lose me a bit as a person. It wouldn’t be correct to say names, but I think many of my teammates have changed with success, and That’s a very sad thing.”
Immersed in a hard moment at the tennis level
“Particularly in this period, in the final part of my career, I suffer a lot from not winning games. It makes me sick. I want to win as much as possible, it’s part of my job. You have to improve your ranking, earn money, find confidence and conviction. ..it’s a bit like in school, when you feel ready for a History or Geography exam and you want to do your best. Right now I feel very involved in what I do, maybe too much, sometimes I think I should let go of the things much more. I am hitting the ball well and training well too, the results fail and do not allow me to gain that confidence that makes me play calm and, above all, makes me not think too much”.
The possible withdrawal, closer than ever
“At times I think about retiring, yes. It’s not that I think I can’t play another five years. Do I want to keep doing it? Yes. But if I want to do it, I would like it not to be the way I’m doing it now Physically and tennis wise, I still feel like I can add great moments, and that’s why I wake up every day with pain all over the place and, after a 6-4 in the third set, I stand up and say: ‘Yes , keep trying.’ When will I retire? Honestly, it will depend a lot on the results. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, but the results make the ranking, and the ranking helps me to play certain tournaments that I want to play. Right now, my My dream is to be able to play in the big tournaments, and for that I have to win games. I imagine my last game in front of my children, my family and my friends. That’s the only thing I know.”
