Tennis Prose




Mar/17

24

Fogninimania

Fabio Fognini put on another show today at the iami Open by outdueling Joao Sousa 76 26 64. It was a fantastic battle way out on court seven with a huge Italian band of supporters so animated and emotional that you wonder how spectacularly thrilling it would be to see Fognini win the French Open. I’ve said it before and will say it again: Fognini is the best showman entertainer badass in the sport today. Once again it seemed like another grudge match against Sousa with all kinds of theatrics and antics like Fognini spitting on the court after losing a key point and then a verbal spat at Sousa’s chair after it was over. Fognini and Sousa have played four times previous with Fognini winning three 6-4 in the third and 7-6 in the third twice. Fognini has several characteristics that make you watch him and not the opponent. He constantly smiles and starts conversations with officials. Like when I was there he came over smiling and saying to Damian Steiner and Cedric Demaurier (who were sitting in the corner) something about how poorly he was playing. But it was just funny to see it. Also Fognini is lethal from deep behind the baseline how he suddenly counterpunches on a long rally with a knockout winner or a crazy haymaker on the desperate run. When Fognini won the big points at the end today he struts and glares at his box and puffs his chest out as with an arrogance and cockiness that is amusing but quite not offensive. Then he wins the match and strolls up to the net in slow motion as if to make his unfortunate victim suffer some more. Nobody walks to the net after a win slower than Fognini. Fog and Souza shook hands nicely and Souza patted Fog on the shoulder but then suddenly they spoke hostile words at each other with fingerpointing and then Fognini walked over to Souza’s chair and continued the testy conversation for two or three minutes. I have no idea what it was about. Then Fognini made the long walk back to the locker room through an adoring sea of Italians who looked at their hero as an idol worthy of worship. Fognini is the ultimate macho Italian symbol in the world of sports today and the Italians who I sat by were loving and laughing and smiling at every gesture he made. ………………….

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15 comments

  • catherine bell · March 25, 2017 at 3:55 am

    I’m sure babysitting will calm Fog down 🙂

  • Scoop malinowski · March 25, 2017 at 7:32 am

    He trained extremely hard off season and is fitter now than ever. I think he will do whatever it takes to match the grand achievement his better half did. And his supporters will help give him the push. It was interesting to see adults so excited and basically going crazy in their support of this guy. They are so proud and love him. They want their Italian Stallion to win so bad. I believe it will help him immensely to do it. I saw this Italian one guy about 35-40 literally going nuts during match. Then running after him after match. Screaming too. Unforgettable imagery.

  • Andrew Miller · March 25, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    Only Flavia loves Fogman, the most disliked player ever.

  • Andrew Miller · March 26, 2017 at 12:34 am

    I find Fogman unloveable. Watching Konta I want to change the channel because id have to watch a pretty staid match filled with tactics from junior glory. But watching Fogman I also want to change the channel, because he’s totally unpleasant. It must suck to play him. He’s wild out there and just plain mean.

  • Doogie · March 26, 2017 at 8:47 am

    Fognini disliked? Sorry but this is shit – spectators all over the world love to watch him because he is unique and everytime he plays something is happening.

    Also other players say he is a nice and funny guy.

    What makes u think he is disliked???

  • Andrew Miller · March 26, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Opponents dislike his antics just as no one liked Roddick’s bullying, Rios’ gimmicks in the players lounges etc. One of my friends didn’t like Rios and had an anecdote about eating a leftover pizza, that they thought was gross. I’m not a lover of Fognini’s no gentleman here persona after matches sometimes, but I’m not going to dispute that he can play top five tennis whenever he’s feeling up to the challenge.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    Fognini is a nice cool funny guy. Fans love him LOVE HIM. A lot of players like him too. On the court he can be aggravating and arrogant. Fognini and Nishioka are now my two favorite players to watch with Kyrgios Lopez Hingis.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 26, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    Andrew; For entertainment value Fognini is the best. His matches are always big dramas. The way he inspires arouses and excites his Italian fans adds greatly to the show. I wont miss sny of Fog vs Chardy today. Italy vs France. Court one should be fun.

  • Hartt · March 26, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    I have mixed feelings about Fognini. I hate some of his on-court antics, especially his fights with umps and the way he sometimes tanks matches. He is playing Chardy right now and is getting treatment for his hand after punching his racquet!

    But when he is playing well he can be an exciting player to watch. And if the lovely Flavia chose to marry him Fognini must have some redeeming qualities!

  • Andrew Miller · March 26, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    True, Scoop and Hartt. When he’s playing well Fogman is a top five player with some shockingly awesome shot making. Almost as if he should be big four himself.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 26, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    I watched every point of Fog vs Chatdy. What a show! Calls for trainer after first game fir lip sunblock! He did everything today…sublime winners, kicked court mike, threw racquet down, bathroom break took babolat with him, lunge volley winner to set up third match pt at netpost then screams vamos or cmon at bespectacled asian ballboys face at netpost. Crazy! Kid showed no reaction too.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 26, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Fognini plays Young next. Talked with Fog after and he said: “I feel good because i have another chance to improve my game. And of course next match is going to be really difficult because (Young) beat two really good players. He must be in really good shape so he is gonna be really confident. I almost lost with him. So the past doesnt matter but I think Im ready. The crowd will be okay for both sides.”

  • Andrew Miller · March 26, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Thiem obliterated his racquet losing to Coric. Just don’t enjoy Coric’s game. Some folks see him as young Djokovic. I don’t think so, to me he’s a ridiculously consistent player. But not one with a huge serve, which Djokovic had at age 18.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 26, 2017 at 10:02 pm

    Coric beating Thiem was huge win for stagnated struggling Croatian. Desperately needed such a win. Now we see how he follows up. For Thiem it was a step backward. Hence why he was so angry about it. He felt he should dominate Coric.

  • Andrew Miller · March 26, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    Thiem stepped backwards for sure. But he’s headed to clay and should be fine.

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