Tempers flared and basic etiquette took a backseat as Fabio Fognini’s first-round exit at the Stuttgart Open ended with a jaw-dropping courtside meltdown. After losing a tough three-set battle to Frenchman Corentin Moutet, the Italian veteran let loose in a tense post-match exchange that turned sour in seconds.
Moutet had edged out Fognini 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in a contest that had already seen racquets shattered and nerves frayed. But it was the handshake- or what was supposed to be one- that lit the fuse. As the two players approached the net, things turned ugly, and the drama escalated in full view of the stunned Stuttgart crowd.
Flashpoint At The Net
After sealing the win with a miscue from Fognini, Moutet hit a ball into the stands and pointed to his head, a move that didn’t sit well with the fiery Italian. As the two met at the net, Fognini grabbed Moutet’s hand and appeared to hold on longer than necessary, repeatedly saying in French, “Look at me, look at me,” even as Moutet stared straight at him.
Words quickly escalated. According to footage and audio from the match, Fognini erupted, allegedly calling Moutet “a little pig” and shouting, “You’re a piece of s***!” while continuing to demand eye contact. The Frenchman offered no reaction and walked past his rival, acknowledging the crowd as he made his way off court.
Spicy handshake ️@moutet99 wins the battle of the entertainers 6-4 6-7 6-3 vs Fognini #BOSSOPEN pic.twitter.com/75P18ZH0rW
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 10, 2025
The incident capped an already volatile match. Earlier, Fognini had snapped his racquet in frustration after losing a point, and his mood only deteriorated from there. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for the 37-year-old, who’s had high-profile spats with players like Andy Murray in the past.
Moutet, too, has a reputation for on-court clashes. In January, he squared off with Alexander Bublik in an exchange that nearly turned physical. That match had to be cooled down by chair umpire Marta Mrozinska after Bublik invited Moutet to settle things “outside in ten minutes.”
Fabio Fognini entered Stuttgart on a wildcard but now exits with more headlines than ranking points. Moutet, meanwhile, advances to face top-seeded Alexander Zverev. As for the handshake, it might go down as one of the tensest of the season, and yet another reminder that when these two combustible personalities share a court, nothing is off the table.
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