Australian Open 'tanking' controversy as star produces "disgraceful" display

18 January 2023 , 12:07

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Fabio Fognini exited the Australian Open in the first round (Image: Getty Images)

Tennis fans have blasted the performance of veteran Fabio Fognini in the opening round at the Australian Open.

The Italian was playing home favourite and doubles partner of Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis, in the first round inside the Kia Arena. The Australian stormed into a two set lead and was winning the third 4-2 before play was suspended due to rain, but wrapped things up several minutes after the resumption, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

However, viewers did not expect much of a fightback from the veteran when play resumed and accused him of tanking or lack of effort. “Thanasi Kokkinakis' performance against Fabio Fognini absolutely superb, despite the Italian looking like he was completely disinterested throughout,” one fan tweeted. “#fabiofognini is playing terribly. What's wrong #AustralianOpen,” another fan wrote.

“Fabio Fognini appears to have almost zero interest in this match against Thanasi Kokkinakis,” another user posted. Another fan who claimed to be inside the arena said: “Being at the match, it's pretty clear Fognini is not giving his best effort. Tanking at its finest. Big fine coming.”

And one frustrated tennis fan agreed, writing: "He's a disgraceful advertisement for men's tennis." Meanwhile, Australian star Kokkinakis moves through to the second round to face Andy Murray in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash.

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The Brit was back to his battling best as he came through a five-set classic against Matteo Berrettini to record his 50th match win at Melbourne Park in the opening round. The three-time Grand Slam winner produced one of his best performances in recent years to overcome the 13th seed, who came from two sets down to level matters. In an rollercoaster deciding set, the Italian had a match point at 5-4, but Murray survived.

Fognini has been accused of tanking in his defeat against Thanasi Kokkinakis (Getty Images)

After racing 6-1 ahead in the first-to-10 final-set tie-break, Murray eventually sealed an epic victory after almost five hours with a forehand which clipped the net cord and left his opponent stranded. An elated Murray said in his on-court interview: "I'll be feeling this this evening and tomorrow but right now I'm just unbelievably happy and very proud of myself.

"I've put a lot of work into the last three months with my team, to give me the opportunity to perform in stadiums like this and matches like this and it paid off tonight. That's the first time I've ever played one of those 10-point tie-breakers and it's a bit different. He came back really strong and I was a bit lucky at the end with the net-cord. He was serving unbelievably and he's a brilliant competitor as well, he always fights right to the end. I did well to get through."

This was a remarkable achievement for Murray, who three years ago thought he played his last match at Melbourne Park as the injuries were taking their toll. But the three-time Grand Slam winner and double Olympic champion, determined to leave the game on his own terms, was fitted with a metal hip and fought back to compete at the highest level.

Kokkinakis will now play Andy Murray in the second round (Getty Images)

His latest victory has shown he is still capable of beating the world’s top players. And the two-time Wimbledon winner, a harsh self-critic, even allowed himself a pat on the back.

"Over the last few years I've questioned myself at times. There's certainly a lot of people [who have] questioned me and my ability, whether I could still perform at the biggest events and the biggest matches," he said. "I felt very proud of myself after the match. That's not something that I generally felt over the years at the end of the matches.

"I'm really proud of how I fought through that match when it could have got away from me, how I played in the tie-break at the end. I was impressed with myself, which again is not something I often do. I'm hard on myself usually."

Liam Llewellyn