His movement is smooth, with good, effective steps, motion, and anticipation with excellent early reading where the ball is going. So, he is just there. Bjorn Borg was similar and somewhat different, but looked calm, constantly.
Few players make tennis looks so easy. Looks like he put minimal effort in every shot and still manage to get that speed on the ball. Absolutly for sure one of my favourite players to watch.
I remember watching this US Open performance on Live TV. Made me a fan from this day forward. He is such a talented player. His biggest opponent is himself.
In facts when the bad of him self take over he can't play anymore, is such a waste for Italy one of the greatest of all time unfortunately his temperament take all is career and he never goes one of the best in the world. 😪😪😪sad for him .
He needs to be extremely relaxed and confident to play this level of tennis, and that's a very complex mindset to maintain throughout a career. That level of smoothness is just great, that's the physical evolution we're going for.
precise comment. F. was in the zone sets 3 - 5. How to maintain that and close out match - I have seen other players put Nadal on ropes and fail to close out the final set - see epic Nalbandian v. Nadal match
that match vs nadal was truely breathtaking,his timing,winners,power and confidence where inspirational! Literally said wtf out loud 2 times during those highlights
The most talented tennis player on the circuit, and believe me I have been practicing this sport for 37 years. See Nadal at 4 meters from the ball once in a while ... ok, but there it is so often, incredible. I would have liked to know what Nadal thinks of this match and especially what he would say about the level of Fognini on the last three sets.
You can just imagine what kind of career Fognini would've pulled together, if he had always been in the video game mode he was in for the last three sets of the U.S. Open match against Nadal...
Very few men his size can hit outright winners from anywhere on the court against the best players like Fognini. What an athlete. Hits ball early and flat with incredible timing. Has touch too but frame of mind inconsistent. Very fun to watch.
U don't always get the feeling that Fognini is taking the game seriously but he's the most instinctive shot maker probably other than Federer. I love his touch and the variety of different shots he can execute
I'll never understand that game against Nadal.. he's down 2-0 against 1 of the best in the world and won from there...I just believed it because I saw the game with my own eyes. And I don't understand either how he could play like that! His almost every shot was a killer, incredibly precise and he played smart too. Kinda perfect.
In a good day Fabio can play (and win) vs (almost) anyone but I don't agree with people who believe that just the crazy head is the problem, sure with a "normal" head he would have a better career (probably top ten with some exploit in Slam and 1000) but it's the serve (not the first ball but rather the second) the real weakness. Anyway see him hit the ball indifferently with forehand or backhand it's spectacular, few players have the ability to hit so early (often with arm-speed only) and volée also is good; he is a talented player. Sry for "eng".
I agree, his second serve is nearly as bad as Andy Murray's. But I think he would be a top 10 player consistently (or would have been in his younger years) with a solid mental game. Too often, he seems to lose concentration and has little interest.
Everybody who has seen this vid and looks at his achievements knows he is a serious underachiever, capable of just a brilliant match here and there at Slams.
Nadal achieved the no. 1 with a very bad serve, that in the tough matches against a great server like Federer turned into a huuuge disadvantage, and even more in hard and grass courts. So probably with more composure he could have been at least top 5 surely.
Been in the Cordoba Open in Argentina a couple of days ago and watched Fognini throwing the match from the very beginning of the match, he was received like he was in Italy and he didn't even put a miserable piece of effort, he was anchored to the ground. And he was playing against Aljaz Bedene, an easy match with a bit of attitude, and yes, he served bad indeed but when you have zero concentration/motivation/call it what you want you will play worse, and that affects also your serve.
A difficult brain.. Overheated.. Like a compressed CPU.. Many times Out of Order.. Difficult also to manage his dark periods.. A great champion with a difficult brain.
Us open Fognini Nadal: lo definirei l incontro del secolo!! Un immenso Fognini strapazza il grande Nadal.... una lezione che la tecnica supera la fisicita!!! Sempre!!! Per guardare ad oggi Luglio 2022, l' immenso Sinner strapazza il grande Alcaraz.... la tecnica vince contro la fisicita!!!! Forza Italia!! Come sempre i migliori.... alla faccia di chi ci vuole male!!
Love the simplicity of his forehand swing movement. He started to control the match once he realized he had to strike the ball very early blocking Nadal’s pace
Body serve was jamming Nadal a lot forcing these down the middle returns. It's not a bad play anyway, it cuts off the opponent creating angles easier. Djokovic does this all the time. Fognini was just up to the task that day.
commenting when u have no idea how it feel to return 180-190km/h straight your chest... Ask someone to serv like this for u Than talk about angles xD when u litterly trying to survive..
Nadal was constantly taking the ball too late, expecially with his forehand, because of Fognini's lightning-fast shots. With a similar hitting condition, you've to give him credit for mostly being able to keep the ball in game, despite being so often forced to hit extremely late. He was mostly directing his shots to the centre, just in order to try containing his forced errors. It was just a "survive or not" game. Probably he only hoped to survive till Fognini lowered his level of play. He proved wrong that day, but this type of game saved his matches so many times.
fognini is a dangerous player if he's on top of his game he hit winners out of nowhere with ease. he is one of the few that have taken rafa out even on clay.
Ragazzi quando il Fogna è in giornata si capisce da due cose: se gli fai colpire il rovescio da fermo e dalla racchetta parte un missile aria-terra che scava i buchi e quando colpisce il dritto lungolinea in corsa mettendola nell'angolo. Ma è soprattutto il rovescio ad essere strabiliante, spazza il campo e lo disegna come cavolo gli pare. Un fenomeno vero.
He looks like he's not bending his legs, and in fact he bend them very little, but his feet load is actually rock-solid. And when he has to run, he's very, very quick. He's actually a far better athlete than most can think, and has got awesome body balance. He's almost never off balance while he hits the ball, just wipping that lightning-fast arm with complete smoothness (reminds a lot Federer in this ability). This helps a lot in being so accurate
His way of playing in my opinion is very reminiscent of the great Nalbandian who was the number three in the world. I think Fognini can aspire to get in the top 5 in the world just has to keep playing like that!
min. 06:43 Only when you access a certain mind-body dimension are you able to hit like that, I believe that if Fognini had played the lottery that day he would have won! :) Crazy, how the hell did he get out of a situation like that? the disadvantage was incredible, I think we should study those moments scientifically, it happens, I remember a Champions League final, Milan-Liverpool, with Milan winning 3 to 0 seemed to have the game in the safe, instead Liverpool in 4 minutes equalized, for then win after penalties, I believe that the escaped danger releases substances that probably resemble a sort of turbo, it is as if it went automatically, the mind is completely aligned with the intentions and with the body, a certain well-being is perceived outside the Normally, a divine connection!
The problem is... he's very often in Fognini mode.
HAHA, best comments! You made my day.
Exactly.. he had like 70 winners against Rafa but he definitely had at least 50 unforced errors..
kajjkajkajkajk LOOOOOLLL buddy HAHAHA !!!
Abuelo HAHA XD
Sanjin Dragoljic: decent ratio, though, especially when you're going after it like that.
He generates insane ball speed with very little movement, he looks so chill
DP he times it so good. Omg lol take the ball out of the high Nadal shots and take advantage of it
And he moves well which is weird
Sydney Rosant he doesn’t move as much but I think if in person lol he’s a speed monster
String tension might be low
he is one of the most efficient players, very little unnecessary movement
When he is concentrated he is unbeatable
no doubt
Patrick Rusherford yeah ahahah
Thats bullshit, you guys dont seem to watch him at all.... he has many matches where he misses all these shots or isnt aggressive.
Rafael Mertin thats when he didnt concentrated
You can believe that about one player at most. If you believe it about two, tell me what happens if they meet! I don't believe it about any player.
Fognini is the best player in the world. Problem is that he doesn't know it.
He is very talented for sure.
He thinks he is. But he doesn't seem to care
Too nervous..stupid like a kid..unfortunately
Diego Fiorillo are you kidding? Best player?😂😂😂
You're right my old friend :-) ... but not because he's italian like me :-)
His movement is so lethargic, and I love it.
His movement is smooth, with good, effective steps, motion, and anticipation with excellent early reading where the ball is going. So, he is just there.
Bjorn Borg was similar and somewhat different, but looked calm, constantly.
@@mastershake886 he’s got muscle. But he seems to lack cardio.
Few players make tennis looks so easy. Looks like he put minimal effort in every shot and still manage to get that speed on the ball. Absolutly for sure one of my favourite players to watch.
I remember watching this US Open performance on Live TV. Made me a fan from this day forward. He is such a talented player. His biggest opponent is himself.
What year?
Like most of us in life. We battle ourselves.
In facts when the bad of him self take over he can't play anymore, is such a waste for Italy one of the greatest of all time unfortunately his temperament take all is career and he never goes one of the best in the world. 😪😪😪sad for him .
He takes ball so early and hit it very calm(static) and hard.
Precisely... He hits it hard and precisely, wish he was consistent
Fun trivia fact: Fognini is married to Flavia Pennetta, who used to date Carlos Moya, Nadal's coach.
As the world turns
Even funner fact: She was still Moya's girlfriend when Fognini started dating her
even funnier fact: fognini know Penetta from child
I like this guy. Tennis needs more players like Fognini, Kyrgios.
Just did it again against the King of Clay!!!
Who’s here after monte carlo
You know it
He won
Me lol
Everyone
He needs to be extremely relaxed and confident to play this level of tennis, and that's a very complex mindset to maintain throughout a career. That level of smoothness is just great, that's the physical evolution we're going for.
precise comment. F. was in the zone sets 3 - 5. How to maintain that and close out match - I have seen other players put Nadal on ropes and fail to close out the final set - see epic Nalbandian v. Nadal match
In life too, smoothness & a calm mind is the key to everything.
@@11Garrett11 hope he gets this calm and smooth tomorrow
I love Fabio's strokes, they look so effortless, and his backhand down the line is just beautiful
that match vs nadal was truely breathtaking,his timing,winners,power and confidence where inspirational! Literally said wtf out loud 2 times during those highlights
The hair in the thumbnail though 😂
He is crazy!! its quite strange but i like the hair hahahah
He lost a challenge against his coach so he had to do that
He won a tournament with that hair 😂😂
The most talented tennis player on the circuit, and believe me I have been practicing this sport for 37 years.
See Nadal at 4 meters from the ball once in a while ... ok, but there it is so often, incredible.
I would have liked to know what Nadal thinks of this match and especially what he would say about the level of Fognini on the last three sets.
The worst Nadal against the best fognini… no sense comparision
@@gianlucaburatti2846 worst Nadal? He couldn't do nothing...in front of him played an unplayable Fabio
Fabio when he's at his best essentially does to Nadal what Djokovic does to him but better
You can just imagine what kind of career Fognini would've pulled together, if he had always been in the video game mode he was in for the last three sets of the U.S. Open match against Nadal...
Very few men his size can hit outright winners from anywhere on the court against the best players like Fognini. What an athlete. Hits ball early and flat with incredible timing. Has touch too but frame of mind inconsistent. Very fun to watch.
U don't always get the feeling that Fognini is taking the game seriously but he's the most instinctive shot maker probably other than Federer. I love his touch and the variety of different shots he can execute
In my opinion the cleanest ball striker on the tour
Truly the most underrated and often forgotten potentially great one. What could've been.
Woah that comeback was insane !
yeah 2 sets and a break down lol
Fognini's backhand looks so chill and classy. His body doesn't even move
When Fabio goes super saiyan
These are the moments that show how powerful perfect timing is.
yo fognini's timing is next level 0.O and his quick striking is beautifull !
When he is concentrated he’s one of the best players in the world
I'll never understand that game against Nadal.. he's down 2-0 against 1 of the best in the world and won from there...I just believed it because I saw the game with my own eyes. And I don't understand either how he could play like that! His almost every shot was a killer, incredibly precise and he played smart too. Kinda perfect.
such clean hitting both with his forehand and backhand, and he has a great touch at the net too, simply amazing
In a good day Fabio can play (and win) vs (almost) anyone but I don't agree with people who believe that just the crazy head is the problem, sure with a "normal" head he would have a better career (probably top ten with some exploit in Slam and 1000) but it's the serve (not the first ball but rather the second) the real weakness.
Anyway see him hit the ball indifferently with forehand or backhand it's spectacular, few players have the ability to hit so early (often with arm-speed only) and volée also is good; he is a talented player.
Sry for "eng".
with a good serve he would be in the top 10
I agree, his second serve is nearly as bad as Andy Murray's. But I think he would be a top 10 player consistently (or would have been in his younger years) with a solid mental game. Too often, he seems to lose concentration and has little interest.
Everybody who has seen this vid and looks at his achievements knows he is a serious underachiever, capable of just a brilliant match here and there at Slams.
Nadal achieved the no. 1 with a very bad serve, that in the tough matches against a great server like Federer turned into a huuuge disadvantage, and even more in hard and grass courts. So probably with more composure he could have been at least top 5 surely.
Been in the Cordoba Open in Argentina a couple of days ago and watched Fognini throwing the match from the very beginning of the match, he was received like he was in Italy and he didn't even put a miserable piece of effort, he was anchored to the ground. And he was playing against Aljaz Bedene, an easy match with a bit of attitude, and yes, he served bad indeed but when you have zero concentration/motivation/call it what you want you will play worse, and that affects also your serve.
I hope Fognini wins a Grandslam before he retires.
Can't happening
My heart melts and overflows with joy when the 'big shots get beat."
Il migliore al mondo ! Grande Fabio ! The best ! 🇮🇹
Fognini is a gentle warrior !!!
The most comfortable player in the world.
Vs murray rome 2017, this shit was crazy! Anyway kinda love that travis scott hair cut tough
Étienne Gauthier that looks nothing like his braids?
Nadal was doing a marathon. Fognini - cool man. Let me stand good and play. Simple.
his forehand is dangerous.
The level of his tennis against Nadal was unbelievable !! The speed of his shots is just... WOW ! I don't any word to describe it...
Who's watching this before their fight in Montreal?
A difficult brain.. Overheated.. Like a compressed CPU.. Many times Out of Order.. Difficult also to manage his dark periods.. A great champion with a difficult brain.
Gemini men. Like Tamberi and Tortu.
He has that italian swagger
i wish the commentator in the first one was better, that guy sucked, that deserved way better reactions, amazing comeback
Luke Jensen is a blight on a lot of US Open highlights
If this guy could hold it together he's just sooooo awesome he's up there with the greats defo
You need to add highlights from the Monte Carlo match with Nadal
He remains me so much to Marcelo Rios
He has so much talent
US open 2015 must've been real special to him. His wife Flavia won in Singles, and then he pulled this one out.
Actually, he did this first...
That night, Fognini was hitting every blow he tried.
The fabulous Fabio.
This is supernatural tennis. Unbelievable, great plasure to watch.
Us open Fognini Nadal: lo definirei l incontro del secolo!! Un immenso Fognini strapazza il grande Nadal.... una lezione che la tecnica supera la fisicita!!! Sempre!!! Per guardare ad oggi Luglio 2022, l' immenso Sinner strapazza il grande Alcaraz.... la tecnica vince contro la fisicita!!!! Forza Italia!! Come sempre i migliori.... alla faccia di chi ci vuole male!!
I have just become a Fognini fan! I love his stroking style ... compact, quick and very, very powerful!
The best! Love u Fabio!
fognini vs nadal is definitely one of the better matches I have ever seen
Fognini is boss
Fabiolous Tennis..
Intratable, así de simple. El puto amo!
Beast
una delle partite più belle in assoluto
The swagger
Fogna is like the Pyramids of Gyza.He doesn't need any movement to be Great.That's the simple difference that makes Fogna the way he is.
Fabio Fognini - MAGNIFICENT - MAGIC - SENSATIONAL " STRIKE" against Rafa Nadal !!!
Very few players take the ball early on the rise like him.
Love the simplicity of his forehand swing movement. He started to control the match once he realized he had to strike the ball very early blocking Nadal’s pace
I don't get why Nadal kept returning the ball directly back at Fognini, you would of thought he learn that lesson in the 3rd set
Body serve was jamming Nadal a lot forcing these down the middle returns. It's not a bad play anyway, it cuts off the opponent creating angles easier. Djokovic does this all the time. Fognini was just up to the task that day.
commenting when u have no idea how it feel to return 180-190km/h straight your chest...
Ask someone to serv like this for u Than talk about angles xD when u litterly trying to survive..
Its not just the returns though he was hitting every ground stroke directly to Fognini like it was practice
Easier said than done.. most shots are played back to someone and he was just in stand and deliver mode.
Nadal was constantly taking the ball too late, expecially with his forehand, because of Fognini's lightning-fast shots. With a similar hitting condition, you've to give him credit for mostly being able to keep the ball in game, despite being so often forced to hit extremely late. He was mostly directing his shots to the centre, just in order to try containing his forced errors. It was just a "survive or not" game. Probably he only hoped to survive till Fognini lowered his level of play. He proved wrong that day, but this type of game saved his matches so many times.
When he’s feelin it...
i wanna see him do more of this
fognini is a dangerous player if he's on top of his game he hit winners out of nowhere with ease. he is one of the few that have taken rafa out even on clay.
Fognini is not in a god mode...he is the god SLAYER!
NONE are Gods, actually, unless You follow Pagan thinking and of those who extended this to particular humans too?!
I love Rafa but that was a masterpiece!
Siempre serás perdedor
The umpire has chills when he says "game, set and match FOGNINI"
Ragazzi quando il Fogna è in giornata si capisce da due cose: se gli fai colpire il rovescio da fermo e dalla racchetta parte un missile aria-terra che scava i buchi e quando colpisce il dritto lungolinea in corsa mettendola nell'angolo. Ma è soprattutto il rovescio ad essere strabiliante, spazza il campo e lo disegna come cavolo gli pare. Un fenomeno vero.
O Monstruo Fabio!!!
It isn’t God Mode, it is Don Mode.
Don Fognini💪🏼
GRANDIOSO FABIO🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾‼️
Un fenomeno 👍👍👍🛐
Thumbnail : GOD MODE
My eyes : COD MODE
ITALIAN PROUD
The fact is when he’s having a good day and he’s relaxed.. he beats everyone. The problem is they don’t happen very often!
What a stud, doesn’t even load with his legs just whacks the ball
That's the impressive part indeed, he looks like practicing.
He looks like he's not bending his legs, and in fact he bend them very little, but his feet load is actually rock-solid. And when he has to run, he's very, very quick. He's actually a far better athlete than most can think, and has got awesome body balance. He's almost never off balance while he hits the ball, just wipping that lightning-fast arm with complete smoothness (reminds a lot Federer in this ability). This helps a lot in being so accurate
If only he could still play like that more often he would would be one of the most talented and best players of all time
every now and then nadal looks at him like “how the fuck did you do that”
against Nadal more than 70 winners...maybe no one before did it... Monster!
Yeah what a legend. I wish he always plays like this.
Sulla terra rossa sarebbe stata in altra cosa cmq.. 👍
Es increíble
Nadal makes the most annoying noise
ahahaha
I agree, very annoying, unwatchable
dude can you imagine, you play with all of your soul and you got beaten by person who only burn 10 calories per set
bellissimo!
He went *SICKO MODE*
70 winneres , never seen before
Takes the ball early, and goes for it
More like Godfather mode, and yes I'm Italian too 😘
ナダルが圧倒される衝撃的な試合。年に何回か見たくなるレベルで記憶に焼き付いてる
"Fognini is playing some tennis"
His way of playing in my opinion is very reminiscent of the great Nalbandian who was the number three in the world. I think Fognini can aspire to get in the top 5 in the world just has to keep playing like that!
not even close
my dude hit 70 winners vs Nadal in 1 match. Only ever seen Fabio and Del Potro hit through Rafa that way
4:16 DEADLY COMBINATION
min. 06:43 Only when you access a certain mind-body dimension are you able to hit like that, I believe that if Fognini had played the lottery that day he would have won! :) Crazy, how the hell did he get out of a situation like that? the disadvantage was incredible, I think we should study those moments scientifically, it happens, I remember a Champions League final, Milan-Liverpool, with Milan winning 3 to 0 seemed to have the game in the safe, instead Liverpool in 4 minutes equalized, for then win after penalties, I believe that the escaped danger releases substances that probably resemble a sort of turbo, it is as if it went automatically, the mind is completely aligned with the intentions and with the body, a certain well-being is perceived outside the Normally, a divine connection!
Son of Marcelo Rios
fuck yeah
true
Parece que a los dos los traiciona la cabeza. Solo que Rios fue #1...