Australian Open 2021: Fabio Fognini and Salvatore Caruso in post-match spat

Two of Italy’s top tennis stars had to be separated after their five set battle in the Australian Open, in a heated and ‘disrespectful’ exchange. Read the transcript here.

Salvatore Caruso and Fabio Fognini weren’t too happy with each other. Picture: AFP Photo

Italian bad boy Fabio Fognini has refused to discuss his latest on-court drama after an extraordinary post-match spat with countryman Salvatore Caruso at the Australian Open.

After almost four hours, Fognini beat Caruso 4-6 6-2 2-6 6-3 7-6(14-12), but it was what came next that topped anything before it, as they launched into a verbal tirade in Italian that lasted several minutes.

The fiery back-and-forth was centred on Fognini’s belief – shared with colourful language to his opponent – that Caruso had enjoyed great fortune with shots that hit the line.

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“You have been f------ lucky, you should apologise. I didn’t disrespect you until now,” Fognini said.

The heated exchange continued as Caruso walked from the court, only for him to stop and head back towards Fognini, at which time a tournament official stepped between them.

Fabio Fognini argues with Salvatore Caruso. Picture: AFP Media

“I didn’t dare to say a single word in the whole match – enough now,” Caruso is understood to have said, as he gesticulated with his hands.

Asked about the confrontation afterwards, Fognini said he and Caruso were “good friends” and that what happened on the court would remain there.

“I am really happy, of course, because I think I was not playing my best tennis today, so I had more chances than him in the fifth, but that’s the sport,” Fognini said.

“I was lucky, too. It’s not important what you asked me before, because these kinds of things sometimes happen on court.”

Fognini became agitated when pushed further on his long history of on-court infamy, which includes abusing chair umpires, smashing racquets and trash-talking rivals.

“You understand my words or not? So can you change (the) question, please? Next question, thank you,” he said.

Fognini confirmed he had yet to speak to Caruso about the incident.

“We just had some different opinions and I think this is something that should stay in the locker room,” Caruso said.

“I will speak with him, because we are friends. So we just have different opinions and we will talk about it in the next few days. But don’t ask me more, because I will not say more.”

Fognini will play Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the third round.

Both players were annoyed after the match. Picture: AFP Photo

WHAT THEY SAID ...

Tennis TV graphics and stats operator Enrico Maria Riva posted a transcript of the fight on Twitter.

Full transcript of the Fognini Caruso exchange after the match was over pic.twitter.com/zSl62j5VwQ

— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) February 11, 2021