Published June 5, 2026
“I was sad and happy at the same time,” Italy’s Flavio Cobolli said after reaching his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros on Friday after his last-four opponent and compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew at the last minute due to illness.
The 24-year-old 10th-seeded German will face Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final, with the second-seeded German defeating Jakub Mensik in the other semi-final to crown a new major champion.
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Just over 20 minutes before Cobolli and Arnaldi were to face Court Philippe Chatrier, tournament organizers announced that the 104th-ranked Italian had been forced to withdraw due to a “virus.”
“When he came to me almost an hour ago, I almost cried. You know, I didn’t expect that at all. I was ready to play this game,” Cobolli told reporters at a press conference with his close friend Arnaldi, as the two sat 3 meters (10 feet) apart.
“I was completely sad for him when he came, but at the same time of course I’m really happy with the results we achieved this week.
“Well, right now I’m sad and happy at the same time.”
For Arnaldi, who was reaching his first major semi-final, withdrawing was “not something I would wish on anyone,” but “for me it was the right decision.”
“It’s tough because I felt so good considering the tournament and the amount of time I was on court,” said Arnaldi, who spent the most time on court of any player en route to a Grand Slam semifinal.
The 25-year-old added that he was “feeling OK” during Thursday’s practice, but after dinner, he started feeling sick during the night.
“My stomach started to feel weird, and I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just not digesting very well,'” he recalled.
“But I woke up at 1 a.m. and started vomiting and wasn’t feeling the best. Then I tried to go to sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all. Around 6 or 7 a.m. I started vomiting again.”
“We called the doctor into the room. He came and gave me something. I thought dinner or something would fix it, but I couldn’t eat for the rest of the day. Every time I had to do something or drink something, I’d go back to the bathroom.”
Despite his best efforts, his condition worsened throughout the day.
“I tried to prepare and stay here as long as I could and see if I could get on the court, but every time I stand up I feel dizzy,” Arnaldi said.
“I think it’s a virus because it was pretty cold. I think I had a fever during the day. To be honest, I don’t know.
“All I know is that I can’t move, eat, or drink. So there was no way I could really play.”
Cobolli paid tribute to a tearful Arnaldi.
“Mateo is a great inspiration for all of us. He is a great player and a great professional,” said Coboli.
“I think he’s the best guy off the court in terms of how he prepares for games, how he focuses, how he cools down. He’s definitely one of the best guys on tour.”
After the conference, Cobolli walked out to center court and watched the hit from the small crowd that had come to watch the game, but stayed behind to watch the world No. 14 take notice.
Koboli will be well rested heading into this weekend’s final after defeating fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
“Probably when you have almost four days off, you lose your rhythm,” he says.
“Now that I’ve been able to practice again, I’m sure I’ll be ready for the finals, but I also know I’ll definitely be fresh.
“(Extended vacation) may or may not help. We’ll talk after the finals.”
