Fabio Fognini is an Italian former professional tennis player born on May 24, 1987, in Sanremo, Italy. He turned professional in 2004 and is recognized for his distinctive playing style, combining heavy topspin, crafty drop shots, and unorthodox angles, particularly excelling on clay courts. Fognini’s career is marked by both remarkable skill and a fiery temperament, which has made him a memorable and sometimes controversial figure on the ATP Tour. Fognini’s breakthrough came in 2011 when he reached the French Open quarterfinals, establishing himself as a formidable clay-court competitor. His most notable achievement came in 2019 when he won the prestigious Monte-Carlo Masters, defeating Rafael Nadal, making him the first Italian to win an ATP Masters 1000 title. That year, he also broke into the ATP Top 10 for the first time, becoming the oldest player to do so at age 32 and the first Italian in the top 10 since 1979. Throughout his career, Fognini won nine ATP singles titles and eight doubles titles, including a Grand Slam men’s doubles title at the 2015 Australian Open. He was known for dramatic matches, such as his five-set victory over Nadal at the 2015 US Open, one of the rare occasions Nadal lost after leading two sets to none. Fognini retired from professional tennis in July 2025, shortly after a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon. His career was characterized by a blend of talent, emotional intensity, and significant contributions to Italian tennis, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the country’s most prominent players[1][2][3][6][7][8].