Rublev, Zverev, Nadal: Relive Fognini’s Winning Run at the 2019 Monte-Carlo Masters

At 38 years old, Fabio Fognini has now retired. In recent weeks, the unpredictable Italian player confirmed he would compete in the Rome tournament for the final time in his career.

After his five-set defeat to two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the first round of Wimbledon (7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1), the former world No. 9 announced his immediate retirement.

Winner of nine ATP titles, he achieved his best Grand Slam result at Roland-Garros, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2011. Fognini claimed the biggest title of his career at the 2019 Monte-Carlo Masters.

During that week in Monaco, he made a lasting impression by battling through, first defeating Andrey Rublev (4-6, 7-5, 6-4) in the opening round before advancing to the last 16 after Gilles Simon withdrew.

At that stage, he overcame Alexander Zverev (7-6, 6-1), then rallied past Borna Coric (1-6, 6-3, 6-2) to reach the semifinals. The towering challenge of Rafael Nadal awaited Fognini, who delivered one of the finest performances of his career against the then-world No. 2 Spaniard.

Playing at an exceptional level, the Italian dethroned the King of Clay (6-4, 6-2), even coming close to a 6-0 second set. Regardless, Fognini secured his place in the final.

As the 13th seed in Monte-Carlo, he capped off his dream week with a victory over surprise finalist Dusan Lajovic (6-3, 6-4). It marked his ninth and, ultimately, final career title.

After this Masters 1000 triumph, the Sanremo native never reached another ATP final. Revisit Tennis TV’s highlights of Fognini’s standout wins from the 2019 tournament (see video below).

Ranked No. 138 at the time of his retirement announcement, Fognini leaves behind the legacy of a player as unpredictable as he was talented—capable of both brilliance and inconsistency but, above all, rising to the occasion in big matches, as evidenced by that unforgettable week in Monte-Carlo six years ago.

Though he never defeated Federer or Djokovic, he conquered the other Big 3 member, Rafael Nadal, four times in his career (in 18 meetings), including three times on clay—the Majorcan’s favored surface.