Tennis star Fabio Fognini goes nuclear during loss at Italian Open

Italian tennis star Fabio Fognini lost his cool during a home tournament as he let rip at the chair umpire over one decision.

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Fabio Fognini of Italy argues with the umpire during the Men's Singles Round of 32 match against Holger Rune of Denmark during Day Seven of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2023 at Foro Italico on May 14, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Italian tennis star Fabio Fognini wasn’t happy during his round of 32 clash at the Italian Open against Holger Rune.

The fiery 35-year-old was left seeing red in the opening games of the first set when a backhand down the line was ruled out.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Down an early break at 3-1, Fognini thought his down the line winner had caught the line. A point that would have taken him to 30-0.

But a late out call from the line judge brought the chair umpire down to the court to check the mark.

Unfortunately for Fognini the out call was upheld upon closer inspection. It was a decision that tipped him over the edge as he approached the net.

Fabio couldn’t believe it. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The Italian unloaded an expletive outburst as he sought clarification over the umpire’s ruling as Rune stood back and laughed as the chaos unfolded.

“How can you call this s*** out, please tell me,” Fognini said as he began gesturing at the mark of where his ball had landed.

“How you can call this out? How? It’s so easy to see, it’s so easy.”

The umpire kept his cool as the tennis villain erupted, simply stating there was separation between the ball and the line.

Things are getting heated already 🔥#IBI23pic.twitter.com/1a8GGw66Rp

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 14, 2023

Rune made light work of his counterpart as he advanced into the last 16 with a comfortable 6-4, 6-2 win.

The seventh-seed has often been the player at the centre of controversy and had the crowd working against him throughout the contest.

The 20-year-old Dane superstar laughed it off during his post-game interview as he set up a meeting with Aussie Alexei Popyrin.

“It was a couple guys who tried to make me lose focus behind the court. Guys, it didn’t work. I stayed in the zone,” said Rune.

“Most of all it was just support for him during the match. As it got closer in the first set they were starting to get wild.

“But again I played good, I was staying focused and that’s what matters.”

Rune got it done. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic reached the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday after winning a battle with Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, while blistering Iga Swiatek thrashed Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 6-0.

Six-time Rome champion Djokovic initially looked in improved form compared to his sluggish tournament opener against Tomas Etcheverry but again had a fight on his hands against the former world number three.

“I think I’m getting close to the desired level. You can always play better but today I had a really good quality opponent and I think I delivered,” Djokovic told reporters.

No longer wearing the elbow brace he had in Friday’s second round match, Djokovic looked to have shaken off the injury which forced him to miss last week’s Madrid Masters.

The 22-time Grand Slam title winner lost his serve in the first game of the match but broke back immediately and in game four broke again to tip the first set in his favour.

Djokovic served out to take the lead and in game three of the second set broke former world number three Dimitrov, who handed the initiative to the Serb with a weak backhand into the net.

However Dimitrov levelled the set at 4-4 with a break of his own, angering Djokovic who was convinced that the shot which won the game was long, and drew huge roars from the Foro Italico crowd when he claimed the set.

However Djokovic has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of his 16 appearances in Rome and a powerful third set display ensured his passage into the fourth round.

“I was very happy to find the right rhythm in the first game of first set … That was super important to make a break early and hold things under control,” said Djokovic who will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie for a place in the quarter-finals.

– with AFP