Cobolli reveals how he found out about Arnaldi's retirement: "I was about to cry"

Pedro de Pablos | 5 Jun 2026 | 19.23

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The second semifinal of the men's Roland Garros 2026 has left us with a bittersweet outcome as Matteo Arnaldi couldn't take to the court due to a virus, leading Flavio Cobolli directly to the final to face Alexander Zverev. Both players appeared together at the press conference, and Cobolli had kind words for his compatriot.

In fact, Flavio was visibly affected and revealed that when Matteo came to inform him, he was on the verge of tears. Despite the joy of reaching his first Grand Slam final and breaking into the top 10 of the rankings for the first time in his career, it was under the most unfortunate circumstances. Therefore, he didn't hesitate to focus more than half of his statements on Arnaldi's role model behavior.

Cobolli's Beautiful Message to Arnaldi

"Over the past few weeks, you have been an inspiration to all of us. You fought for many hours on the court and showed your true worth. We all knew the situation you were in before this tournament, after all you've been through. I never doubted your quality or all the good you have done for us and yourself over the years.

You should be proud of what you're doing and how you've accomplished it. You are an example to me. I try to imitate you a little, especially off the court. On the court, each of us follows our path, as we all do, but off the court, you are an example of an athlete and a professional. I wish you the best."

Cobolli, Affected by Arnaldi's Withdrawal

"Today, I feel very sorry about how everything ended. I'm sure we would have had a great battle, as always when we face each other. I hope, and I'm convinced, that there will be another opportunity to honor this result. It's hard for me to speak now. When he came to tell me, almost an hour ago, I was close to tears. It was something I didn't expect at all. I was ready to play, and when he arrived, I felt very sad for him."

Happy to Reach the Roland Garros Final

"At the same time, I am very happy with the result I achieved this week. My father also came before him, and we hugged each other. I did the same with my whole team for entering the top 10. Every time I reach my best ranking, we maintain that routine. Now I am sad and happy at the same time."

Routine Before the Match

"I followed the same routine as every day. I knew the match was at seven, so I came very early, just before lunch. We did some physical work, and then I ate with the rest of the team. Later, I napped on the couch while watching the match. Then I woke up, and I was in the locker room. It was six, and I couldn't prepare before the match because I already knew the day was over."

More Praise for Arnaldi

"Matteo is a great inspiration for all of us. He is a great player and an excellent professional. I think he is one of the best people off the court when it comes to doing things right. His match preparation, focus, and composure are among the best on the circuit. I told him he deserves the result of this week. He was injured last season and also at the beginning of this one, but we all knew his level, and we all hoped he could achieve something like this. His tennis is incredible. I wish him all the best for the future."

Additional Rest Before the Final

"Sometimes it helps, and sometimes it doesn't. I have nearly four days of rest, which is a lot, as you can lose momentum. But I played very well and have resumed training. I know I will be fine again. Maybe it will help me, maybe not. I will tell you after the final."

Cobolli Talks About His Relationship with Zverev Before the Final

"We have a very good relationship. He is the person I talk to most among the top players, apart from Jannik and Carlos. I can speak frankly with him, and he helps me a lot in times when he feels he needs it too. We discuss serious matters, but not just serious things. We have a good relationship with his team. Today, for example, my brother gave me Kane's shirt as a gift. But that doesn't change the fact that we are rivals, and nobody should change that. There is a lot of respect off the court, but on the court, we will have our battle."

Plans for Not Playing the Match

"Now I will go to the court to play a bit and keep my energy high. I have to activate myself, and I don't feel satisfied. We go to the court to feel the ball. Obviously, it will be different, without the tension or everything that a match implies, but I will try to make this training as professional as possible to stay focused on the tournament. I feel good with my people. Obviously, I won't go to our restaurant this week. We will celebrate more the top 10 than this final."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cobolli desvela cómo se enteró de la retirada de Arnaldi: "Estuve a punto de llorar"

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