Fognini takes a step back from his career: "I was world number 9, but that's just numbers"

At 37, Fabio Fognini is still running. The whimsical Italian player is still in the top 100 (91st in the ATP rankings) and intends to make the most of his late career.

In an interview with Spanish media outlet Relevo, the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters 1000 winner went into detail about his relationship with tennis.

"For sure, tennis has always been part of my life, it's my job. It has given me much more than I could have imagined, but in the end, it's still just a game.

Yes, you make a lot of money, you're famous, but it's just a game. I know all the sacrifices I've had to make for tennis.

I was once number 9 in the world, but that's just numbers. At the end of the day, records are made to be broken, nothing more," says Fognini.

The Italian, who has won nine titles in his career, also speaks of his character and outspokenness.

"I'm someone whose temperament is sometimes difficult to manage. But I've never hidden. In life, when someone makes a mistake, they have to accept the consequences.

In my job, that's what I've always done: the bad-boy label, all the fines I've paid... One thing's for sure: nobody's perfect.

Asking for forgiveness is the first step in admitting you've done something wrong. Apologizing is a value, and there's no shame in it. I've tried to add passion to everything I've done," he concluded.