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Wimbledon

Tennis star Fabio Fognini apologizes after Wimbledon outburst where he said 'a bomb should explode here'

By Travis Fedschun Fox News
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An Italian tennis star already on probation had to apologize after an outburst Saturday at Wimbledon, where he said he wanted a bomb to hit the All England Club.

During a three-set loss to 94th ranked player Tennys Sandgren, a visibly frustrated Fabio Fognini had to take a medical time-out for treatment to his bloodied knuckles on his right hand after punching his racket.

The volatile top-10 player also lashed out in Italian saying, "damned English" and that "I wish a bomb would explode on this club. A bomb should explode here," according to Sky News.

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More than 1,000 bombs fell in the area during World War II, destroying thousands of nearby homes, and 16 fell on the tournament grounds. One hit Centre Court at Wimbledon, damaging the roof.

Italy's Fabio Fognini reacts as he plays United States' Tennys Sandgren in a Men's singles match during day six of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 6, 2019.

Italy's Fabio Fognini reacts as he plays United States' Tennys Sandgren in a Men's singles match during day six of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

At his news conference Saturday after his defeat, Fognini said his comments came in the heat of the moment. He said he was upset about not playing well and the condition of the court's grass.

"If I offended anyone, I apologize," Fognini said in Italian. "That definitely wasn't my intention."

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An All England Club spokeswoman said there was no immediate comment from tournament officials.

Italy's Fabio Fognini apologized after saying "a bomb should explode" at Wimbledon after his three-set loss.

Italy's Fabio Fognini apologized after saying "a bomb should explode" at Wimbledon after his three-set loss. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant))

The episode on Saturday, however, will be investigated to determine whether it rises to the level of a major offense because Fognini is still under a two-year probation stemming from when he insulted a female chair umpire at the 2017 U.S. Open and got kicked out of that tournament.

In October 2017, the Grand Slam Board said Fognini would be suspended for two major tournaments if he commits another major offense before the end of this year.

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He was docked a then-record $27,500 of his prize money at Wimbledon in 2014 for a series of outbursts during a first-round victory.

Italy's Fabio Fognini is still under a two-year probation after he insulted a female chair umpire at the 2017 U.S. Open and got kicked out of that tournament.

Italy's Fabio Fognini is still under a two-year probation after he insulted a female chair umpire at the 2017 U.S. Open and got kicked out of that tournament. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant))

The volatile Fognini is married to 2015 U.S. Open champion Flavia Pennetta.

By beating Fognini, Sandgren made it through to the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time and will face fellow American Sam Querrey on Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.