Fognini was already in his final professional season, but after such a memorable battle against Alcaraz, McEnroe admitted his last appearance at SW19 would be a fitting swansong to his career. Having spoken to Fognini’s wife, Flavia Pennetta, a former US Open champion, the American said his impressive performance against a player 16 years his junior and Pennetta’s desire for him to be at home more should be his last dance on a tennis court.<\/p>\n
“This was the perfect ending for Fognini,” McEnroe told the BBC<\/a>, via the Express<\/a>. “Fortunately for Alcaraz, towards the end of the fourth set, the crowd realised that Fognini was playing unbelievably. Carlos looked more exhausted than Fognini despite there being a 16-year age difference! What on earth is happening here?<\/p>\n “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 Pennetta 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.”<\/p>\n To be the first to receive the latest tennis news, join our WhatsApp community<\/a> or tennis newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n Just two months removed from his retirement, Fognini recently appeared on the ‘Supernova’<\/a> podcast and admitted his defeat to Alcaraz may have been a blessing in disguise, after revealing he would have struggled mentally to take on then-world No. 719 Oliver Tarvet in the second round should he have gotten past Alcaraz.<\/p>\n “I think I made the best decision,” Fognini said about ending his tennis career. “If things had gone differently, I would have had a big problem,” he asserted, regarding the possibility of beating Alcaraz on that occasion. If I had won that match against Alcaraz, I would have had a day of rest and then faced the world’s number 700.<\/p>\n