Fabio Fognini renews rift with Italy’s Davis Cup captain over 2023 snub
NewsThursday, 04 December 2025 at 16:25
Fabio Fognini continues to hold a grudge against Italy’s Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri over the 2023 snub.
Things got bitter between Fognini and Volandri in 2023, when the former was dropped from the Davis Cup squad. Italy became the Davis Cup champion that year and twice more in 2024 and 2025 but Fognini is unwilling to let the issue fade.
Right after he received the news of his exclusion, Fognini took to X and posted a lengthy objection to Volandri’s decision.
“On Monday, while I was in Genoa, the captain’s call came to me: suddenly I no longer fit into the plans, without justifiable explanations and in ways that I didn’t agree with, disrespectful of my history and my Italian past, because until lastly I was informed that I would be in the squad and available to take to the field and for this reason I decided to train and play the Challenger to the best of my strength to be ready and available.”- Fabio Fognini on X
At the time, Volandri responded with an elaborate explanation that the World No. 9 had not been at his physical best.
“In his latest appearances, Fognini has suffered retirements and physical problems. His performance in the last three months did not meet the criteria that, in my opinion, must be met to obtain a call-up to Davis. While I was in New York, I received a phone call from a member of his medical staff who was already telling me that Fabio was in very poor condition.”- Filippo Volandri said on ANSA
Fognini brought curtains to his career at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. He won nine singles titles, including the ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo and the Australian Open in doubles.
At the Davis Cup, he carried the Italian on his chest with pride, winning 22 out of the 31 singles matches he played for his nation. It seems like Volandri’s snub has hurt his compatriot’s sentiments to the point that he is unable to move on.
Fognini reignited his feud with Volandri in a recent conversation with says on Rai2 program ‘Belve’ (as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport).
"It wasn't clear to me why I was excluded. I didn't have a discussion with anyone; I think that's the most ridiculous thing. Being a man requires discussion, even if sometimes with differing opinions. Ask Volandri why; that's how it went, I didn't accept it and I never will."- Fabio Fognini
The Italian further revealed that the Davis Cup captain didn’t congratulate him for his career during Wimbledon despite running into him at a dinner.
"On the very day I announced my retirement at Wimbledon, I was at dinner and Volandri was at the next table. He said hello but didn't have the courage to say anything to me, not even a compliment on my career. He didn't say anything to me."
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