Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to the record 21st Grand Slam titles. Italian professional tennis player, Fabio Fognini took to Instagram to congratulate Nadal on his victory. He said, “And what do I have to say .. 21!”. He is the only Italian player to beat the Spaniard in a Grand Slam. He defeated Rafa in US Open 2015.
Rafa is the first player to have reached 21 Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. His feat came into fruition by defeating Medvedev in five sets.
In an interview with an Italian outlet, Fabio added, “these are feats that only the greatest champions can accomplish”.
Fabio Fognini On Rafael Nadal’s Mastery Of The Game
Fognini spoke to the Italian outlet Gazetta Dello Sport. He expressed his feelings and opinions over Rafael Nadal and his exceptional return to Grand Slams.
Fabio said, “He is an incredible fighter. It is difficult to find the words to describe what he has done, these are feats that only the greatest champions are able to accomplish.”
The Italian is in awe with Rafael Nadal’s incredible return to the game. He gave his thoughts on the upcoming Roland Garros.
He said, “You can’t just beat him, you have to knock him down. Nole is waiting for him in Paris, it will be a super challenge.”
Fognini On Defeating Rafael Nadal
Former world no.9, Fabio Fognini is the only Italian player to score a victory over Rafael Nadal in a Grand Slam.
Fabio defeated Rafa in the US Open 2015 and shared his opinion on how to defeat the Spaniard. “He doesn’t give up, Rafa doesn’t just have to beat him, you just have to knock him down. He consumes you, physically and mentally, I am proud to have beaten him in Monte Carlo.”
“Only Novak Djokovic, or Roger Federer managed to stop his competitive fury.”
He then talked about his own US Open victory over Rafa and how he did it. “I earned it because I believed in it. I stayed there believing in my tennis.”
In the interview with Gazetta Dello Sport, Fognini revealed the difficulties in living the same era as the big three who made tennis history.
“Obtaining important results in this unrepeatable era, with three phenomena capable of winning twenty, twenty-one Slams each, it’s almost impossible. However, having witnessed it is still a privilege.”
Fognini also talked about the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. “As I know him, I think he has blood boiling in his veins.
On the one hand he will be almost happy, because these are the challenges facing him give motivation. He must have thought.”
