Tennis legend, 38, retires just days after epic Wimbledon clash with Carlos Alcaraz as he take John McEnroe’s advice

FABIO FOGNINI has announced his retirement from tennis aged 38.

The Italian maverick has decided to hang up his racquet following his epic first round exit to Carlos Alcaraz last week.

Getty

Fabio Fognini has announced his retirement from tennis[/caption]

AFP

Fognini, 38, hugs Carlos Alcaraz after their five-set epic[/caption]

Two-time defending champion Alcaraz required nearly four-and-a-half hours to defeat Fognini on day one of Wimbledon.

Having gone back to Italy and considered his future, Fognini decided to call it a day.

After returning to Wimbledon, Fognini confirmed in a press conference that his clash with Alcaraz was his final match.

After the first round epic, the Spaniard said of his wily opponent: “I told him that I have big respect for him. He’s the best.

“I have big respect for him. Everything that he has done in his career, what he has done today.

“I love watching him play. I’m just glad to have shared the court once again with him, that I have shared the locker rooms, the tournament with him.

“Just amazing. I have big respect for him.”

Following his battle with Alcaraz, Fognini said: “It was really emotional. I have to be honest, I cried in the locker room. I cried.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

“Because, as I say, I didn’t expect play five set against him. I have to be honest.

“The way I was coming here, I had no expectation because since I started this year, after the injury, I was playing really badly. I didn’t win so many matches.

“So I say, okay. I was seven out at the beginning here in Wimbledon. I get in few last.

“I say before, there is no better way to play in this court with a great champion that I have a lot of respect for.”

Fognini peaked at No9 in the world rankings in 2019, while has earned around £14million in career prize money.

The wily veteran’s biggest tournament win in singles came in Monte Carlo six years ago, while he also triumphed in the Australian Open men’s doubles in 2015.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.