Tennis star who upset Murray and Nadal teases retirement at final Italian Open

Fabio Fognini has announced that this will be the last Italian Open of his career. The former world No. 9 is set to make his final appearance at his home tournament as he takes on Britain's Jacob Fearnley in Thursday's primetime night session. Fognini has struggled with multiple injuries over the last few years and the Masters 1000 in Rome will be his ninth tournament of the season at any level.

While he has yet to address his retirement, the 37-year-old will no doubt be close to hanging up his racket if this is his last time playing at home. Fognini had a glittering career, beating Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal multiple times, and winning the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Before the likes of Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, and Lorenzo Musetti came along, Fognini spent years flying the flag for Italian men's tennis.

He peaked at No. 9 in the world shortly after being crowned a Masters 1000 champion in Monaco, upsetting Nadal en route to the title.

The 37-year-old also enjoyed success in doubles, winning the Australian Open with Simone Bolelli a decade ago. And he was always a threat to the biggest players, earning 17 career wins against top-10 opponents.

But Fognini is now winding down his career as he announced this would be his last outing at the Foro Italico. A former quarter-finalist in Rome, Fognini got a wildcard into the main draw to say goodbye to the home fans.

"Since I was a kid I was coming here to say, 'Oh let's see, let's hope to play one day'. And now I'm in the opposite [time of my career]. I think it's a good time to say goodbye in this beautiful city, special city," he told Tennis Channel ahead of the tournament.

"But yes, I'm here with a smile on my face because I know that I had a really difficult time during my 15, I don't know, 16, 20 years in Rome and I would like to enjoy the last lap."

Fognini is scheduled to face British No. 2 Fearnley on Thursday evening in what could be his last match on home soil. The nine-time title winner has plenty of fond memories from his career, but one of the best came in Rome eight years ago.

He added: "One is for sure the victory in the night against Andy Murray when he was No. 1 in the world. This one is in the special place, especially here in Rome, for sure. I'd say it's top three in my career.

"I live for [those] moments. My character is like that. I play with passion, and sometimes too much. But I think when I was playing my best tennis here, I think the crowd was really happy to see me beating Andy. I beat Gael, I beat Tsonga, I beat a lot of good players."

The Italian never got to lift the title at the Foro Italico but he is happy to walk away with plenty of other stories to tell his children, whom he shares with his wife, 2015 US Open champion Flavia Pennetta.

"Of course the dream since I was a kid was winning here," he continued.

"But if I have to be honest, I have now and have in the future also the opportunity to say to Federico and the two girls that I was able to play against Roger, against Rafa, against Andy, against Novak, and this part of my career was really special."