Flavio Cobolli admits he has mixed emotions after Matteo Arnaldi’s withdrawal means that he is into his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros.
Just 20 minutes before the match was due to take place, it was announced that Arnaldi had withdrawn from the tournament because of a viral illness.
It was a tough moment for Cobolli who is good friends with Arnaldi and has known him for a long time.
In a joint press conference Cobolli revealed how much of an inspiration Arnaldi is to him, “I just said Matteo is a big inspiration for all of us,” Cobolli said to journalists.
“He’s an amazing player and amazing professionalist. I mean, he’s I think the best person outside the court for how he makes the thing, preparation of the match, focus, cooldown. He’s one of the best on the tour, for sure. I mean, I said also he deserve the result about this week.
“He got injured last season and the beginning of this one. We already — I mean, we all knew about his level. Everyone expect this result from him. His tennis is amazing, so I just said something like this. I wish him all the best for the future.”
It’s a tough moment for Cobolli who is good friends with Arnaldi but he will have to put that to one side as he is into his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros.
Furthermore Cobolli will become a top ten player for the first time when the rankings are released on Monday.
Cobolli admitted it’s mixed emotions but celebrated his top ten achievement with his family, “I mean, it’s also tough for me to speak now. You know, when he came to me almost one hour ago, I almost cried,” Cobolli admitted.
“You know, it’s something that you don’t expect at all. I was ready to play this match. When he came, I was completely sad for him. But, at the same time, of course I’m really happy for the result that I reached this week. My dad also came to me right before him, and we had a big hug together with the whole team for achieving for the top 10. Every time that I make the best ranking, we all together have a big hug. We did the same routine as always.
“Yeah, now I’m sad and happy at the same time.”
Next up for Cobolli is Alexander Zverev in the final as both players look to win their first Grand Slam title.
The Italian has an extra day more than Zverev to prepare for the final while Zverev had to play a three hour semi-final.
Speaking about that element of his preparation Cobolli said it can be an advantage and a disadvantage ahead of the final, “Sometimes it help. Sometimes it’s not,” Cobolli stated.
“Maybe have almost four days off is a lot, so you lose the rhythm, but I think also during warming up, I played really well. Now I got practice again. I think I will be ready, for sure, for the final, but I also know that I will be fresh, for sure. Maybe it helped; maybe not. I tell you after the final.”
Zverev has a 3-1 head-to-head lead over Cobolli heading into the final but they share a win apiece over the clay court season.
Cobolli won in Munich before Zverev earned his revenge in Madrid but who will win in Paris?
