Fognini Calls Time on Rome Masters: Italian Veteran to Play Final ATP Event

Italian tennis veteran Fabio Fognini has announced that this year's Italian Open in Rome will be his last appearance at the ATP Masters 1000 event, marking the end of an era for the 37-year-old player.

Fabio Fognini has announced that this year's Italian Open in Rome will be his last appearance at the ATP Masters 1000 event. The 37-year-old Italian veteran will make his 18th main draw appearance at the tournament when he faces Briton Jacob Fearnley in the first round.

Fabio Fognini’s next stage: the dance floor? 🕺

The former world no.9 says this will be his final Italian Open. #IBI25 pic.twitter.com/KMiqi5xuxz

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 7, 2025

“I think it's a good time to say goodbye in this beautiful city, special city,” Fognini told the Tennis Channel, reflecting on his decision to retire from the event after this year's edition. Fognini's best finish in Rome came in 2018 when he reached the quarterfinals.

“Since I was a kid I was coming here to say, 'Oh let's see, let's hope to play one day'. And now I’m in the opposite (end of my career).

“But I'm here with a smile on my face because I know that I had a really difficult time during my, I don't know, 20 years in Rome and I would like to enjoy the last lap.”

Fabio Fognini has a storied history on clay, winning eight of his nine ATP singles titles on the surface, including the prestigious 2019 Monte Carlo Masters. One of his cherished memories in Rome came in 2017 when he defeated then-world No. 1 Andy Murray in straight sets.