‘It’s all the same and I don’t like it’ – Former top 10 pro grumbles on future of the ATP

Fabio Fognini is not happy with what he sees for the future of the ATP tour, labelling younger players as too one-dimensional for his liking.

The 2019 Monte Carlo Masters champion reduced the next generation of pros to serve cannons and big forehand hitters while revealing his nostalgia for the play of the likes of Roger Federer.

Fognini is currently playing on the clay of Buenos Aires at the ATP 250 Argentina Open, where he has reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014.

“Look, I’m going to be honest,” the world number 40 told journalists at a tournament press conference.

“Maybe it’s because I’m from an older generation, but I don’t like the future that is presented for this sport.

“It’s all the same, the only thing you see are guys hitting forehand and serve bombs, I don’t like it.

“When I retire from professional tennis I’m not going to see anything about this sport on television, nor am I going to pay for a ticket to see that, I don’t think it’s worth it.”

 

In a recent interview, Fognini revealed that while he admires Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for their athletic prowess, he holds Federer in the highest esteem, something he reiterated in Buenos Aires.

“I would pay to see Federer,” the Italian said. “I wish we could see him like in the old days.

“I love it, everything seems simple when he does it, but it’s not. “I don’t know if we can see his best version again.”

Now 40, Federer says that while he looks to begin active recovery from surgery soon, he does not expect to return to tour even in time for this year’s Wimbledon.

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