Share
1st July 2025
09:55am BST
Tennis legend John McEnroe has told Fabio Fognini that it’s time to call it a day on his playing career after a hard-fought defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon yesterday.
Despite lining up against defending champion and World Number Two Alcaraz, Fognini twice battled back from behind to force a fifth and deciding set in a match that lasted more than four-and-a-half-hours on Centre Court.
It’s a performance that McEnroe says could be as good as it gets for Fongini, who plans to retire at the end of this year’s playing season.
"This was the perfect ending for Fognini," the three-time Wimbledon champion told the BBC.
"Luckily for Alcaraz, towards the end of the fourth set, the crowd realised that Fognini was playing unbelievable. Carlos looked more tired than Fognini even though there’s a 16-year age gap! What in the hell is going on here?
"So the crowd started rallying behind Alcaraz and that picked him up a little bit. I almost hope that [Fognini] doesn’t play anymore because I’m not sure he can play any better than that."
McEnroe added, that after speaking to Fognini’s wife Flavia Pennetta during a recent seniors tennis event, he’s become even more sure that the 38-year-old Italian should now call it a day. Pennetta had a successful playing career of her own but retired a decade ago.
"I played Flavio Panetta in seniors mixed doubles at the French [Open] and she thinks it’s time for Fabio to be at home more with the kids. I think she is ready for her husband to be home more."
In retiring now, Fognini would be following in his wife Flavia's footsteps.
The then 33-year-old retired at the conclusion of the 2015 tennis season, just weeks after winning the only Grand Slam championship of her career, the US Open Singles title.
While Fognini never achieved a Singles Grand Slam title of his own during a career that has stretched out across more than 20-years, the 38-year-old did succeed in winning the doubles championship at the 2015 Australian Open.
