Tennis star told to retire by John McEnroe admits he almost had 'big problem' at Wimbledon

Fabio Fognini retired from tennis after his Wimbledon defeat as per John McEnroe's advice, as the Italian star admitted his loss to Carlos Alcaraz had a silver lining. The 38-year-old called time on his 21-year career in July after his first-round thriller defeat to the Spaniard.

The six-time Grand Slam champion needed five sets to best the veteran as Alcaraz's passage to the next round looked touch-and-go at times. However, a dominating last set which he won 6-1 secured his place in the second round, where he eventually reached the final for a third year in a row but lost to Jannik Sinner who claimed his first title at the All England Club.

Fognini was already in his final professional season, but after such a memorable battle against Alcaraz, McEnroe admitted his last appearance at SW19 would be a fitting swansong to his career. Having spoken to Fognini's wife, Flavia Pennetta, a former US Open champion, the American said his impressive performance against a player 16 years his junior and Pennetta's desire for him to be at home more should be his last dance on a tennis court.

"This was the perfect ending for Fognini," McEnroe told the BBC, via the Express. "Fortunately for Alcaraz, towards the end of the fourth set, the crowd realised that Fognini was playing unbelievably. Carlos looked more exhausted than Fognini despite there being a 16-year age difference! What on earth is happening here?

"So the crowd started rallying behind Alcaraz, and that picked him up a little bit. I almost hope that [Fognini] doesn't play anymore because I'm not sure he can play any better than that. I played Flavia Pennetta in seniors mixed doubles at the French [Open] and she thinks it's time for Fabio to be at home more with the kids. I think she is ready for her husband to be home more."

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Just two months removed from his retirement, Fognini recently appeared on the 'Supernova' podcast and admitted his defeat to Alcaraz may have been a blessing in disguise, after revealing he would have struggled mentally to take on then-world No. 719 Oliver Tarvet in the second round should he have gotten past Alcaraz.

"I think I made the best decision," Fognini said about ending his tennis career. "If things had gone differently, I would have had a big problem," he asserted, regarding the possibility of beating Alcaraz on that occasion. If I had won that match against Alcaraz, I would have had a day of rest and then faced the world's number 700.

"It would have been a huge mental challenge for me to start Wimbledon with a win against the world's number 2 on Centre Court and perhaps finish it on Court 14 against the world's number 700. I was the loser in that match, but I came out a winner. I haven't watched that match replay yet, not even the highlights, but I would like to in the future because the fans were impressed."