One of Italy’s top players has criticized the direction men’s tennis is heading towards by saying that when he retires from the sport has no intention of watching it.
Fabio Fognini told reporters at the Argentina Open that the next generation of men’s players lacks variety with the majority of matches being dictated by ‘forehands and serve bombs.’ The 34-year-old used Roger Federer’s style of play as the type of tennis he enjoys watching. Speaking frankly about the matter, Fognini admitted that when he stops playing professionally he will likely not watch the sport on TV or even pay to watch a match in person.
“Look, I’m going to be honest. Maybe it’s because I’m from an older generation, but I don’t like the future that is presented for this sport,” he said during a press conference on Thursday. “It’s all the same, the only thing you see are guys hitting forehand and serve bombs, I don’t like it.’
“When I retire from professional tennis I’m not going to see anything about this sport on television, nor am I going to pay for a ticket to see that, I don’t think it’s worth it.”
“For whom I would pay a ticket is for Federer. I wish we could see him like in the old days. I love it, everything seems simple when he does it, but it’s not. I don’t know if we can see his best version again.” He added.
Federer is currently sidelined from the Tour due to a knee injury and his return to the sport is still unclear. The former world No.1 has previously admitted that his appearance at this year’s Wimbledon Championships is in doubt.
Fognini, who has won 19 titles during his career, is never one to hold back when he is asked his opinion. Besides his criticism of the future stars of the sport, he also spoke about his relationship with Novak Djokovic who is still yet to speak publicly after being deported from Australia following a legal battle concerning the validity of his visa. The Serbian’s positive COVID-19 test towards the end of 2021 has also drawn scepticism from some.
“It was all very crazy, I called him when he was expelled from Australia. I think he fought (against his visa being cancelled) because he knew he could do it and the situation seemed sad to me. There was more talk about that than tennis in a Grand Slam,” said Fognini.
“The truth is that I would have liked to see him play. Only he knows if he had COVID, it’s something very private and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
Fognini is the fourth seed in this week’s Argentina Open where he is bidding to reach the final for the first time since 2014. Earlier this week saw the return of Juan Martin del Potro to the court for the first time in over two years due to multiple knee surgeries. Del Potro recently admitted that there is a chance that his first round loss to Federico Delbonis could be the last match of his career.
“He is a friend, a great colleague and it makes me very sad what has happened to him and seeing him the way he was the other day,” the world No.40 said in a tribute. “I know the real Juan Martín. (He’s) one of the few capable of fighting against the Big 4 when they were at their best. I have not been able to speak with him these days, but I wish him the best with all my heart because I consider him a friend.”
Delbonis will be the player Fognini plays in the quarter-finals of the Argentina Open on Friday.
