ATP Flavio Cobolli ATP Cincinnati 2026

The curious image of Cobolli during the match: He asked for some Lacasitos!

Jose Morón - 21 Aug 2026
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Cobolli, Lacasitos.

During the quarterfinal match at the ATP of Cincinnati, the image of Flavio Cobolli during one of the side changes went viral for its curiosity and unusual nature. The Italian requested some M&Ms, known as Lacasitos in Spain, brought in two plastic containers by a member of the organization.

Requesting M&Ms during a match might seem like a mere anecdote, but from a nutritional standpoint, it makes quite a bit of sense. In long matches, tennis players need to replenish carbohydrates to keep glucose available and delay the onset of fatigue.

Tennis combines explosive and repeated efforts with very short recovery periods. As the hours go by, muscle glycogen stores decrease, and the player may need quickly absorbed carbohydrates. In matches that exceed two hours, nutrition recommendations usually place intake around 30-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour.

That’s where some M&Ms fit in perfectly. Their high sugar content provides carbohydrates in a simple and quick way. This doesn’t mean they are necessarily the most common or planned nutritional option, but during a competition, the immediate goal may be to get available energy and consume something the athlete tolerates well.

 

 

Replenishing sugar during a tennis match

Other players turn to more conventional options. The banana is probably the most recognizable food during side changes, while sports drinks, gels, and bars are also used. A study on tennis players’ habits even found the consumption of dattes, figs, and sweets during matches.

In fact, dattes are a particularly interesting alternative as they have a high concentration of carbohydrates and natural sugars and are easy to carry. The British Tennis Federation itself includes them, along with bananas, gels, and carbohydrate drinks, among the options used for sustenance during matches.

Thus, behind Cobolli's curious request, there may be something considerably less extravagant than it seems: a quick way to add sugar and fuel to the body when the match starts to take its toll.

 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La curiosa imagen de Cobolli en medio del partido: ¡Se pidió unos Lacasitos!