World Sport News

Referee Pascal Maria ends his career – and Fabio Fognini remembers one of his most beautiful outbursts.

“I didn’t know you’d quit. Have fun in the new job! Of course, we’ve had some inconsistencies over the years, but you’ve always been fair and smiled,”Murray twittered after referee Pascal Maria announced that he was starting a new job.

Fabio Fognini, not a darling referee per se, also expressed his regret. And remembered a legendary scene in which he doubted an overrule in the most beautiful Italian language and made even Mary laugh.

In the course of his career, 44-year-old Frenchman Maria led eleven Grand Slam finals, including the 2008 Wimbledon Final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He is now taking a job with the French Tennis Federation.