"Years ago, for example, I wasn't ready to understand the fans. Interviewer: The audience at the Internazionali di Roma, for example? Fognini: Yes, and the audience in Rome is a special one, which Fabio Fognini at the time was probably not ready to welcome, to take on his shoulders and carry with him. I had a love-hate relationship with Rome, especially when I was young. I've always been someone who likes to play in big stadiums, with strong players, with fans. It's always excited me. The crowd in Rome is one of the best ever. The fans speak your language, they know you, they want the best from you... playing in Rome is priceless. On the other hand, though, all this can also work against you. They can kill you. You're so tense and want to do so well that you can struggle, and that's something that happened to me in the past. And I didn't understand why they didn't support me when I was in trouble, when I really needed it. This love-hate relationship went on for quite some time. Then, I think we understood each other and, above all, they understood me. At the same time, I probably also learned to accept that the public had expectations, almost demands, of me. I've always been very short-tempered, very passionate, and this came out especially when things were going badly. I would get frustrated, angry, break a racket, argue with someone... But there is no right or wrong, everyone has their own way of expressing themselves and suffering when they fail."