tennisnet.com ATP

After disqualification in Barcelona: Fabio Fognini is considering legal action against the ATP

After his disqualification in Barcelona,Fabio Fognini is considering legal action. If the Italian's appeal is not upheld, he will sue the ATP.

by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Apr 29, 2021, 04:17 pm

Wer gewinnt? Tippt jetzt!
Fabio Fognini requests an apology from the ATP
© Getty Images
Fabio Fognini was disqualified in Barcelona

Well. That Fabio Fognini is not always the quietest contemporary on the tennis court should meanwhile be clear to every observer of the sport. But what happened in Barcelona last week was new territory even for the Italian. The 33-year-old was disqualified in his second round match against Bernabe Zapata Miralles for unsportsmanlike conduct. For the same reason, he was no longer allowed to compete in doubles at the US Open in 2017, but in the current match there had not been an early tournament for him until the event in the Catalan capital.

According to Fognini's view, it shouldn't have happened in Barcelona either. Shortly after the encounter, he had expressed anger at the approach of the ATP: "I paid for something I didn't do. I have done bad things on the pitch in the past, but today I was very calm. I have not even spoken. I'm going to have this investigated. It's the first time in my life that something like this has happened. "

Fognini sees damage to its reputation

The world number 28 wants these words. now apparently follow up with deeds. Because, as Fognini emphasized to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera , he is considering - should the ATP not uphold his appeal against the penalty of 5,000 euros - legal action against the players' association.

"I want an apology for the big mistake. If my appeal is rejected, I will give my lawyers everything in their hands and ask the ATP for damages for very serious damage to their image," said Fognini. "Money and points don't interest me. What happened has stained my image and made me look like a joke with my sponsors," the 33-year-old justified a possible lawsuit.

Fognini is also likely to respond to a press release from Babolat, which has made the Italian bat available. The French manufacturer of tennis articles had criticized Fognini and Benoit Paire for their recent behavior and promised further consequences.

No response from the ATP

Not least because of this, the world number 28 asserted. once again his innocence: "I did not offend the linesman in the game against Zapata Miralles. I was frustrated, angry - I talked to myself. I swear by what is most important to me in this world: my children."

"I'm almost 34 years old and have been playing professional tennis for twenty years. If I say that I have not offended anyone, you have to believe me," said Fognini. The ATP has not yet responded to the Italian's interview.

by Nikolaus Fink

Thursday
Apr 29, 2021, 04:40 pm
last edit: Apr 29, 2021, 04:17 pm