Fabio Fognini shares what happened in the locker room following his heartbreaking defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon

Fabio Fognini, in his final Wimbledon match, certainly put on a show as he narrowly lost to the two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

It was expected that the Italian, who has enjoyed a fine career, might be able to excite the crowd with a few neat shots here and there. But, as the match went on, he would fade.

He did anything but.

At 38 years old, the classy veteran took Carlos Alcaraz the distance, and only in the fifth set did that decline begin. He’s made himself proud, and was rightly heralded by centre court afterwards.

Fabio Fognini reveals what he did straight after losing to Carlos Alcaraz

Asked in his post-match interview how it felt to be recognised, not only by the Wimbledon crowd but by Alcaraz too, he could not contain his emotion.

Fortunately, it seems he got it all out just before coming in for his interview, as he revealed: ‘I was really emotional to be honest.

‘I cried in the locker room. Because as I said, I didn’t expect to play 5 sets against him. The way I was coming here, no expectations.

‘Since I started the year this year after the injury, I was playing really bad. I didn’t win many matches… There is no better way to play in this court with a great champion that I have a lot of respect for, and for his team, because I know them very very well.’

Alcaraz admitted he was confused during his match against Fognini, and certainly played that way at times.

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Although it was a great match for the neutral, and especially for those inside centre court, this was surely one that Alcaraz will want to forget in a hurry.

After all, he did not play particularly well, and made so many uncharacteristic mistakes that allowed his veteran opponent to remain in touching distance.

Twice he took a one-set lead, perhaps undeservedly so, and twice he squandered it. Fognini was inspired, but this was a match that Alcaraz could and should have put to bed much earlier.

Photo by Ray Tang/Anadolu via Getty Images

Having garnered so much praise over the last month for his focus and dedication to greatness, this marked a worrying return to the unpredictable and lackadaisical Alcaraz.

Hopefully, against British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, he can refine his game and be a little more ruthless.

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