Former Argentine Davis Cup captain Alberto Mancini has opened up on his assignment as coach of veteran Italian tennis star Fabio Fognini.

The 33-year-old tested positive for Covid-19, which kept him confined to the sick bay and away from tennis courts through the length of the season gone by.

Fabio Fognini: A career blighted by injuries

Surgeries on both ankles have raised question marks around his future as a professional tennis player.

However, Fognini is determined to soldier on despite the odds and recently took to Instagram to announce that he had paired up with Mancini as his new coach.

An accomplished singles player, with three ATP titles to his credit, Mancini worked with former stars and compatriots Mariano Puerta, Guillermo Coria and Gaston Gaudio after turning a full-time coach.

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Among his career highlights is a quarterfinal appearance at the French Open and leading Argentina to two Davis Cup finals in 2006 and 2008.

In a chat with UBITennis, Mancini said he believes Fognini still has a lot to achieve as a professional tennis player.

“He hired (me) because he wants to finish out his career at the same high level he has maintained for the past decade. 

His agent called me, then I talked a little with Fabio and we instantly connected,” the Argentine said.

First impressions of Fognini very positive, says new coach Alberto Mancini

He said his first impressions of Fognini have been very positive.

“He’s exceptionally talented, and I believe that he can still be a top player. 

Read More: Fabio Fognini Eyes Comeback, Hires Former French Open Quaterfinalist as New Coach Ahead of 2021 Season

“If he retains the same drive, then he can get over the injuries he’s had and hold his own against everybody, because his game is flawless,” Mancini said.

The Argentine said he had a word with Fognini’s former coach Franco Davin to get a heads-up on the Italian. 

“Franco Davin coached him, so we talked about him, but I’m not telling you what he said! All I know is that hard work and motivation are the only keys to success,”  the coach said.

New coach to work on Fognini’s serve

He said that he will focus on the technical aspects of the Italian’s game, going into the new season.

“I am more of a strategy-and-technique guy, so that’s what we will focus on with Fabio and the personal trainer I work with, Alejandro Lacour,” he said.

He said the emergence of young tennis stars back home could also spur the Italian on to more success on the professional circuit.

“We haven’t talked about it, but he certainly might. However, I think that his focus is his own performance and his own window of success,” Mancini said.

He said he was impressed with certain aspects of Fognini’s game. “His reading of the game is impeccable, and the power (on) his backhand is outstanding,” he said.

However, he said the Italian’s serve could get better. “He is not very tall, so we will work on improving his serve, particularly his ball toss,” Mancini said.

Fabio Fognini has set new goals for 2021

The Italian, who has nine career ATP titles to his name, has started training for the new season.

At the Australian Open this year, Fognini became the 12th player in the history of tennis to make a winning comeback from two sets down at all four Grand Slams.

Among the contemporary stalwarts, he shares the feat with Roger Federer.