Challenger
Fognini nonetheless having fun with the highlight, from dancing sneakers to Tenerife Challenger go to
The Italian performed in exho at Tenerife Challenger on Sunday
February 17, 2026
Sophia Lavrov/MEF Tennis Occasions
Fabio Fognini on the Tenerife Challenger 2.
By ATP Workers
Fabio Fognini made a particular look on the Tenerife Challenger 2 this previous weekend, sharing smiles and laughs in entrance of a full crowd whereas taking part in in an exhibition match.
The previous No. 9 participant in PIF ATP Rankings attended Sunday’s closing in Tenerife — gained by Lloyd Harris — and took time to replicate on his life since retiring from professional tennis in July.
“After Wimbledon, I took two months fully off on vacation,” Fognini informed the Tenerife Challenger media group. “Then I began on ‘Dancing With The Stars’, so now I’m prepared to bop additionally exterior the courtroom,” he added with amusing.
A nine-time ATP Tour titlist, Fognini used the ATP Challenger circuit as a launchpad within the early days of his profession, profitable his first title at that degree as a 21-year-old in 2008. The Italian additionally competed in choose Challenger tournaments all through his closing three years on Tour.
Fognini spoke extremely of the competitors at ATP Challenger degree, noting the conflict between hungry younger expertise and Tour veterans.
“They’re actually powerful,” Fognini mentioned of ATP Challenger tournaments. “There are some younger guys who’re dreaming to go up the rankings and guys like me — making an attempt to maneuver up. I dropped a bit, had so many accidents, so combating with the younger guys is troublesome. The extent is actually, actually excessive.”
Fognini, a followers’ favorite who cherished to entertain along with his shotmaking skill and off-court aptitude, introduced his retirement at Wimbledon final 12 months following a five-set first-round loss to Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian ended his profession holding a 426-396 match document, in response to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
How is Fognini doing since retiring?
“Once you do that sport for 20 — and possibly extra — years, step one is lacking the competitors, I miss [playing],” he mentioned. “I didn’t remorse something, so I’m comfortable to be right here.”
