Fognini talks on how Nadal, Djokovic, Federer affected his career.

Fabio Fognini is about to start his title defense in Monte Carlo, where he won the title in 2019. The Italian will face Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. During an interesting interview in Marbella, Fabio was asked to elaborate on the fact that his career was spent mostly in a period dominated by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer.

Fabio Fognini conceded that it was great to play in this period dominated by the very best in history. However, he also admitted that the young generation is very lucky not to have to deal with the Big 3 for the big titles. Also during his career, Fabio had to face not only Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer but also some of the other top players such as Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, and Stan Wawrinka.

Fabio commented:

“Young boys will be very lucky to one day play without these three that I have had all the way. When I reached the second week of a Grand Slam, I was already happy, as if it were a semifinal or a final, because from then on it was your turn to one of them, or Murray, Del Potro, Wawrinka …

The good thing has been to compete against them and live with the best in history. The bad, that to do something good, incredible things had to happen.”

Fabio Fognini in 2021

Ranked no.18, Fabio played his last match on the 8^th of April when he was overcome by world no.81 Jaume Antoni Munar Clar 6-2 6-1 in the 2^nd round in Marbella (draw).

Presently, during this year Fognini has a composed 7-7 record.

Marbella

Fognini's Record

Rafael Nadal in 2021

Now the world no.3, Nadal played his last match on the 17^th of February when he capitulated to world no.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).

During this season the Spaniard has achieved a 4-1 win-loss record.

Australian Open

Nadal's Record

Fabio Fognini and Rafael Nadal clashed against each other 17 times. Their record is 13-4 for Nadal. Previously, the last time when they squared off, Rafael Nadal won 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the 4^th round in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 15^th of February 2021.

Here the highlights.

Novak Djokovic in 2021

Ranked world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 21^st of February when he defeated world no.2 Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 82^nd career title.

Presently, during this year the Serbian has a 9-0 record. Novak clinched 1 title at the Australian Open.

Australian Open

Djokovic's Record

Roger Federer in 2021

Now ranked no.7, Roger played his last match on the 11^th of March when he surrendered to world no.36 Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6 6-1 7-5 in the quarter in Doha (draw).

This season the Swiss has a 1-1 win-loss record.

Doha

Federer's Record

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer played each other 50 times. The head to head is 27-23 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time when they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 7-6(1) 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) in January 2020.

Here the highlights.