Wimbledon star Fabio Fognini retires from tennis after John McEnroe told him to quit

Fabio Fognini has announced his retirement from tennis in a Wimbledon press conference, having been told earlier in the tournament to quit on the spot by John McEnroe. Fognini, 38, will call it a day on his career after bowing out in a five-set thriller against Carlos Alcaraz in the first round.

Fognini held a press conference at Wimbledon on Wednesday where he announced the decision, nine days after he was praised for taking the two-time defending champion to five sets. The Italian veteran is a nine-time ATP Tour winner and reached a career high of world No. 9 in 2019.

His best-ever singles Grand Slam result came at the French Open, where Fognini reached the quarter-finals in 2011. Four years later, he won the Australian Open men's doubles alongside compatriot Simone Bolelli.

In the emotional press conference, Fognini said: "I was here a week ago probably more than a week ago and I left something and I think today is something that is official I say goodbye to everybody

"Yeah I mean it's something that was in my mind already, you guys know this week with my family first week of Wimbledon was really busy, more than tennis before Flavia was working for TV so I had no time to think about what I did. I think this is the best day to say goodbye."

Moments after that defeat to Alcaraz, McEnroe claimed that Fognini could do no better than his display on Centre Court and should retire on the spot.

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"This was the perfect ending for Fognini," the American 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.

"I played Flavia 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."

Replying to McEnroe, Fognini's wife Pannetta, who is a former world No. 6 before retiring in 2025, told Corriere della Sera: "I hope he finishes with the wonderful feelings of the match with Alcaraz. He was very good, I am proud; for me it is as if he had won. If he were to continue he would risk ruining that moment."

When asked about whether her husband asks for advice on the subject, Pannetta responded: "In his own way. I am his mirror. I do not lie to him. But the choice is his."