ATP Tour

Cobolli: 'I almost cried'

Flavio Cobolli reached his first major final on Friday at Roland Garros, though the moment came with mixed emotions for the Italian.

Ahead of the 24-year-old’s semi-final against countryman Matteo Arnaldi — the first all-Italian men’s major semi-final at this stage — Arnaldi withdrew due to illness. Cobolli, who will rise into the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time on Monday following his run in Paris, spoke candidly about the emotional impact of the news.

“It’s tough for me to speak now,” Cobolli said in a press conference in Paris on Friday evening. “When he [Arnaldi] came to me almost one hour ago, I almost cried. It's something that you don't expect at all. I was ready to play this match. When he came, I was completely sad for him.

“But, at the same time, of course I'm really happy with the result that I reached this week. My dad also came to me right before him, and we had a big hug together with the whole team for achieving the Top 10. Every time that I make the best ranking, we all together have a big hug. We did the same routine as always. Now I'm sad and happy at the same time.”

Cobolli’s impressive run at Roland Garros has included victories over 18th seed and Geneva champion Learner Tien and fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. It marks a defining stretch in an already strong season for Cobolli, who captured his third ATP Tour title in Acapulco and also reached the final in Munich.

Even though Arnaldi was unable to take to Court Philippe-Chatrier on Friday evening, Cobolli was quick to commend his countryman’s achievements.

“Matteo is a big inspiration for all of us,” Cobolli said. “He's an amazing player and an amazing professional. I think the best person outside the court for how he makes things, preparation of the match, focus, cooldown. He's one of the best on the Tour, for sure.

“He deserves the result this week. He got injured last season and the beginning of this one. We all knew about his level. Everyone expects this result from him. His tennis is amazing. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Having spent 17 hours and 42 minutes on court to reach the quarter-finals, Arnaldi set a record for the most time played before reaching that stage of a major. Matteo Berrettini retired during their last-eight clash.

Cobolli will now shift his focus to the championship match in Paris, where he faces second seed and three-time major finalist Alexander Zverev.