Flavio Cobolli excited about Matteo Arnaldi’s withdrawal.

Flavio Cobolli experienced an emotional rollercoaster at the French Open, where his unexpected journey to the final was marked by a mix of joy and sadness. Just minutes before stepping onto the court to face compatriot Matteo Arnaldi, the 24-year-old Italian saw his dream dashed by a last-minute withdrawal due to his opponent’s illness.

Matteo Arnaldi, who had never previously advanced past the fourth round in a Grand Slam, faced a true marathon to reach the semifinals of the tournament, playing an impressive 19 hours and 42 minutes throughout the competition – the longest time since 1991 to reach this stage in an event of this caliber. However, a virus ultimately prevented him from competing, as he announced his withdrawal just 25 minutes before the match was set to begin. “I tried to see if I could get on the court, but every time I stood up, I felt dizzy. It was the right decision. I know I can’t move, I can’t eat or drink – there was no chance of playing,” Arnaldi revealed, visibly dejected.

In a joint press conference, but kept at a distance due to the health condition of the youngest, Flavio Cobolli confessed to being almost in tears at the news. “It’s hard to talk right now. When he told me, I almost cried. I wasn’t expecting this. I was prepared to play and, although I’m sad for him, I feel immense happiness for the results this week,” said the young Italian. Cobolli also added that moments before, his father embraced him along with the whole team, celebrating his entry into the top 10 of the world ranking, a personal milestone that mixes contradictory emotions: “I’m happy and sad at the same time.”

This presence in the final of the French Open marks the first significant moment for Cobolli in a Grand Slam tournament and an opportunity to surpass the achievement of compatriot Jannik Sinner, who was a finalist on the same stage in 2023 but lost to Carlos Alcaraz. The upcoming challenge is Herculean: the opponent will be Alexander Zverev, the clear favorite, seeking his first major title in a final that promises to be historic.

Cobolli, with renewed determination and the emotional weight of this week, is preparing for a showdown that could catapult his career to another level, while Arnaldi fights to recover and return stronger for future challenges. This year’s French Open has been marked by these two young Italians who, despite the obstacles, have shown the grit and passion that define elite tennis.

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