Cobolli doesn't want to hear the word favorite: "I just want to enjoy the tournament"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 1 Jun 2026 | 17.00

Cobolli does not want to hear the word favorite: "I just want to enjoy the tournament." Photo: Gettyimages

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Flavio Cobolli is certainly one of the standout names at this Roland Garros 2026. In an edition full of surprises, he is showing great consistency, paired with a good game that has secured his spot as a quarterfinalist in the prestigious Parisian tournament, although he faced a tough challenge against Zachary Svajda, who was on the verge of turning the tables in a match Cobolli had under control up to the fifth set.

Nevertheless, the Italian managed to take control of the situation in time and closed out a match that was turning precarious with a score of 6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5). During the post-victory press conference, he discussed the difficulties he encountered in the third and fourth sets, as well as his real chances of winning the tournament.

Flavio Cobolli and the Challenges of Closing out a Grand Slam Match

"I am very happy to reach my first quarterfinals here at Roland Garros. It means a lot to me. I was a bit nervous about closing the match today. As I mentioned earlier, this tournament holds great significance for me. Sometimes closing out a match is not easy, especially when you are leading on the scoreboard like today. But I think Zachary also played very well after the second set. That's how tennis is, it's special to play because of that. In the end, I am happy, and that is what matters."

"A fourth-round match, serving to close out, is not easy. Especially because I had never played in the fourth round here before, so it was my first time, and the experience is not extensive. Sometimes you have to go through this to have more opportunities in the next match."

Everything Changes in the Decisive Moment of the Match

"The ball is the same, the shots are the same, the courts are the same. What changes is in the mind and the heart. When the match is almost over, you start to think too much, and that is a problem for me because I don't like to overthink. I just want to play and give my best in tennis. But if I think, especially when I am nervous, I start playing differently. Additionally, the court was challenging."

Avoided Frustration and Kept Fighting

"I tried to stay positive. I started getting a bit nervous with the team but tried to play my tennis as hard as possible. I also took my time after each point. I was slightly tired from the previous three sets, so I just played my tennis, and in the end, it worked."

COBOLLI MAKES IT TO HIS FIRST ROLAND-GARROS QF 🇮🇹#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/1HQTmwchmd
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2026

Not Seeing Himself as the Favorite

"No. I just want to enjoy the tournament and the match. It is an incredible honor to play at Chatrier, it is a dream for me, and I want to keep it open."

No Physical Issues Before the Quarterfinals

"I feel very good, had no issues even though it was tough getting here. I am a bit tired now, but it is normal. The pressure was high, and I exerted a lot physically, but I feel very good."

One Step Away from Entering the Top 10 Before Facing Auger-Aliassime or Alejandro Tabilo

"It is a strong feeling. I am used to celebrating the best ranking. There is always a toast when you reach your best position, and that gives me great satisfaction. Regarding the upcoming rivals, both are very strong, one left-handed and the other right-handed. I think both deserve to be here; maybe one has played slightly less than the other and may be fresher today," concludes a Flavio Cobolli, who is starting to look like a favorite in this Roland Garros 2026.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cobolli no quiere oír la palabra favorito: "Solo quiero disfrutar del torneo"

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