Fabio Fognini speaks out on the differences between Jannik Sinner and Flavio Cobolli

Fabio Fognini returned to speak in Gazzetta dello Sport about the Roland Garros final lost to Flavio Cobolli: “It was a peculiar match. In the first set I saw exactly what I expected: he was very tense, he was in a hurry to get into the match and made several mistakes. Then the challenge remained open, with chances and smears on both sides. The thing I take away is that the level is there. In the fifth set, in my opinion, the mental aspect weighed most of all. After two weeks lived at that intensity, you inevitably feel the weight of everything you have built. One thing is for sure, though: on clay he has proven that he belongs at this level. Some will say that the scoreboard opened up and that he was favored by the crossroads. But when the opportunity comes you have to be able to take it, and he did.”

“Now comes the most complicated part. He has to deal with everything calmly, focus on himself and on planning. And he has to have the courage to raise the bar. Because when you get that high, the desire is to stay there. The problem is that overnight everyone starts expecting something from you. More importantly, you start demanding it of yourself. Instead, you must not feel obliged to prove anything. He must continue to work and fight as he has always done.”

“In some respects I see a lot of myself in him. He is competitive and determined, but he also has great human sensitivity. He is a sunny guy, he has a nice smile, he knows how to be with people. Maybe he is less angry than I was at his age, but he has many characteristics that remind me of the Fabio of that time. And that is also why seeing him on that court excited me so much. Today’s tennis is very different from what I experienced. There is more investment, more opportunities, and different media attention. Above all, the way other people look at you changes. From today, the expectations on him will inevitably be higher and he will have to learn to live with this new reality.”

“How far can he go? Right now Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz remain a step above everyone. There is room behind them, though. Between fourth and 10th in the world I see room, and I think Flavio has all the qualities to establish himself in that group.”