“My biggest wish is that he wins another Grand Slam”: Fabio Fognini backs Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon dream
ATPThursday, 09 July 2026 at 19:00
Fabio Fognini believes Novak Djokovic still has the motivation required to compete for more Grand Slam titles, with the Italian admitting his biggest wish is to see his former rival lift another major trophy before the end of his career.
Speaking to Sportklub during his return to Wimbledon, Fognini discussed Djokovic’s continued presence at the highest level and the way public perception around the Serbian has evolved throughout his career. The Italian, who competed during the era of the Big Three, highlighted Djokovic’s achievements and his desire to keep chasing history.
The Italian shared the tour with Djokovic for many years, including 10 previous meetings between them, with the Serbian dominating their Head-to-Head record 8-0 and winning 17 of the 19 sets they played. Fognini, who reached a career-high world No. 9 ranking and became one of the most talented players of his generation, highlighted Djokovic’s achievements and his desire to keep chasing history.
Now retired from professional tennis, Fognini returned to Wimbledon one year after ending his career at the All England Club. The 38-year-old also reflected on his own farewell to the sport, his memorable final Wimbledon appearance against Carlos Alcaraz and the current rivalry between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who he believes are bringing excitement to tennis’ next era.
“My biggest wish is that he has the opportunity”: Fognini backs Djokovic’s Grand Slam pursuit
Fognini praised Djokovic’s longevity and explained that he believes the Serbian’s desire to win another major title remains the key factor behind his decision to continue competing. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has continued challenging the younger generation despite being in the final stages of his career.
The Italian rejected the idea that Djokovic’s popularity has increased only because of his age, instead pointing to the respect he has earned through his achievements and personality throughout his career.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with age. People love Nole everywhere, but especially here. He won 106 matches at Wimbledon and was the best player of our era.”
Fognini played his last professional match at 2025 Wimbledon. He lost at first round in a 5-set battle against 2-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Fognini also highlighted his personal relationship with Djokovic, describing him as a great person and explaining why he believes the Serbian remains motivated despite already having achieved almost everything possible in tennis.
“I know him very well. He is a great man and it’s fantastic to see how he keeps competing. My biggest wish is that he has the opportunity to win another Grand Slam. I think that’s exactly the reason why he is still on the tour. If I know him well, that dream is what still drives him. I’m happy to see him.”
Djokovic is continuing his pursuit of another Wimbledon title, where he has already established himself as one of the greatest players in tournament history. Fognini’s comments come from a player who experienced first-hand the dominance of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer throughout one of the most competitive eras in men’s tennis.
Fognini reflects on Wimbledon return one year after retirement
Fognini returned to Wimbledon after retiring from professional tennis at the same tournament in 2025. The Italian’s final appearance left a lasting impression, as he pushed defending champion Carlos Alcaraz into a five-set battle in the opening round despite entering the match as a significant underdog.
Alcaraz eventually survived the challenge, but Fognini showed flashes of the level that helped him reach No. 9 in the ATP rankings and win nine ATP titles during his career. One year later, the Italian admitted that returning to the All England Club felt unusual after stepping away from competition.
“The first thing I can say is that time flies incredibly fast, believe me. I did all kinds of things, but I didn’t play much tennis. Coming back here feels a little strange at this moment. Now I think: ‘Wow, where am I?’”
The Italian also shared his thoughts on Alcaraz’s future after the Spaniard was forced to miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon due to injury. “Injuries are an inherent part of our sport,” Fognini reflected. “I’m sure he is not happy about having to take a break, but if there is a risk, it’s better to stop and prepare as well as possible for the comeback.”
Fognini added that he believes Alcaraz and Sinner are currently making tennis particularly exciting, with the two young stars leading the sport into its next chapter after the conclusion of the Big Three era.
“I wish him a speedy recovery because I think he and Jannik Sinner are making our sport incredibly exciting at the moment. It’s a real pleasure to watch them play.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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