Fognini will hit beach if Wimbledon payouts cut

No-nonsense Italian Fabio Fognini won’t be standing around like a muppet if Wimbledon prize money is cut – the family man has contingency plans to head to a Mediterranean beach rather than compete on the grass.

“It is rumoured they may reduce the prize money.” Fognini said as he prepared for his 15th French Open appearance.

“If this were the case, taking into account that I do not have a very good feeling with the grass, in those two weeks I will be able to take the family to Formentera.”

The situation could be fallout from the crisis cause after Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarus players and the ATP promptly stripped the iconic major of all ranking points for the edition starting June 27.

Player mutiny talk has been growing, with suspicions of a prize money cut only adding to the drama which could see a skeleton field on court at the All England Club.

The 34-year-old Fognini, married to 2015 US Open champion Flavia Panetta, also said he is pondering his own future with family duties now becoming more pressing.

“I’ll  take stock at the end of the year and we will see. In recent years I have suffered a lot, for different reasons.
 
“If my fitness remains good I have no doubts that I can continue playing. I’s like to lift a trophy again – I admit it.”
 
He added: “I also have to keep in mind that my family needs me more every day. 
 
“Flavia is there to help me, but it is not easy to take three children, especially next year, when the oldest will start school. We’ll talk about it and decide.”