PARIS — In a surprising turn of events, the top-seeded Jannik Sinner faced an unexpected exit in the second round of the French Open. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Musetti, who reached the semifinals in 2025, is sidelined this year due to an unfortunate injury.
Despite the setbacks, Italian tennis is shining brightly as three male players have advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time. Matteo Berrettini is set to clash with Matteo Arnaldi during the night session on Wednesday, guaranteeing at least one Italian spot in the semifinals. Flavio Cobolli is also making waves as he prepares to face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in another exciting quarterfinal matchup.
“It’s a fantastic moment for Italian tennis,” Berrettini expressed enthusiastically.
Cobolli, who had never tasted victory on a Grand Slam’s center court until his third-round win over American Learner Tien, had previously shined under pressure by clinching the decisive point for Italy’s third consecutive Davis Cup title last November in Bologna.
“The Davis Cup experience has been invaluable in helping me manage high-pressure situations in matches,” Cobolli reflected.
As Tuesday marks Italy’s National Day, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassorri are set to compete in the doubles quarterfinals in Paris. Furthermore, Wednesday will feature not only the thrilling Berrettini-Arnaldi and Cobolli-Auger-Aliassime singles duels but also the mixed doubles semifinals with Sara Errani and Vavassori.
“This just proves the resilience of Italian tennis,” remarked 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang, who mentors Tien. “Winning the Davis Cup without Jannik showcases the remarkable depth of talent in the country.”
Chang has witnessed the rise of enthusiasm for tennis in Italy, particularly at the Italian Open.
“Outside the Foro Italico, you can feel the excitement; everyone is embracing tennis,” Chang added.
Cobolli’s Soccer Roots
At 24, Cobolli was once a gifted soccer player involved with Roma’s youth academy before dedicating his life to tennis.
He still favors soccer over tennis and attended Roma’s final Serie A match at “Roma Club Parigi” the night before his debut in Paris.
“I’ve played alongside many who are now excelling in soccer, like Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Watford’s Edoardo Bove,” Cobolli said. “We shared the field and maintain strong friendships. After a good match, we always reach out to each other.”
Cobolli hails from the same Tennis Club Parioli in Rome where tennis legend Adriano Panatta trained, who has been invited to present the men’s singles trophy on Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his victory.
Currently ranked 14th, a title victory could propel Cobolli into the top five.
Berrettini’s Journey of Reflection
Before Sinner captured the spotlight, Berrettini was the trailblazer, making history by being the first Italian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Panatta at Wimbledon in 2021.
A powerful server known as “The Hammer,” Berrettini thrives on grass courts.
However, following his runner-up finish to Djokovic at Wimbledon, Berrettini found himself forced to withdraw from the competition due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, which came just days after his triumph at Queen’s Club.
For the past five years, Berrettini has struggled with injuries, and he hadn’t even competed at the French Open since his memorable run in 2021.
After a second-round loss in a Challenger event shortly before arriving in Paris, Berrettini took a reflective walk around Valencia, contemplating his life and career.
“I noticed people leaving offices and parents picking their kids up from school, and I realized, ‘There’s life outside of tennis.’ Sometimes, you need that perspective. Players like Sinner, who consistently win, are extraordinary. The rest of us need some losses to recharge our motivation. If everything went right, I’d be ranked No. 1,” Berrettini shared.
Entering the French Open with a ranking of No. 105, Berrettini seeks to reclaim his place.
The 104th-ranked Arnaldi has played an impressive 18 sets throughout the tournament, winning two consecutive five-set thrillers. His total court time of 17 hours and 42 minutes exceeds the previous French Open record of 15 hours and 44 minutes set by Nicklas Kulti in 1992.
Despite a rocky start to the season, losing eight of his first ten matches, Arnaldi found his stride on clay, securing seven victories, four of which required deciding sets—first at a Challenger in Cagliari and then in the opening rounds of the Madrid Open.
Reaching a career-high ranking of No. 30 in 2024, Arnaldi faced challenges last year due to a foot injury.
“Cagliari was where I started to regain my confidence, and that’s been pivotal in my performance,” Arnaldi concluded.
