Fabio Fognini said goodbye to Rome. © ANSA / ANSA/Fabrizio Corradetti

Rome: Italy's tennis bad boy says "Ciao"

At the Masters in Rome, several Italian tennis players were eliminated in the first round. Among them was Fabio Fognini, who was celebrated by the Tifosi in his final match.

08 May 2025

From: dl

Fabio Fognini was a controversial figure on the tennis tour for many years. But the now 37-year-old was also the best active player from the country with the boot-shaped roof for a long time. In July 2019, he even entered the top ten of the world rankings at number XNUMX. Especially on clay, Fognini was one of the most influential players for a long time.

On Thursday evening, Fognini said goodbye to Rome during the night session. "Passion, class, and a whole lot of heart. A chapter is coming to an end, but your legacy lives on," the organizer wrote on his social media channels. Almost at the same time, the new Pope (Leo XIV) was elected in Rome that evening.

Francesco Totti (and his partner Noemi) also attended Fognini's farewell. © ANSA / ANSA/Fabrizio Corradetti

Throughout his career, Fognini won the hearts of many tennis fans with his style of play, but he also frequently attracted attention for his outbursts and bad behavior. Regardless, the Tifosi loved him nonetheless, and they made him feel it during his last appearance in Rome – a 0-2 loss to Briton Jacob Fearnley. Fognini is now ranked No. 107 in the world. Along with him, Matteo Arnaldi (ATP 37) and Lorenzo Sonego (ATP 44), for example, were also eliminated in the first round.