Sergio Mattarella mourns the passing of Nicola Pietrangeli

President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella also issued an official note to pay tribute to Nicola Pietrangeli, the Italian tennis legend who passed away at the age of 92. “I learned the news of Nicola Pietrangeli’s death with genuine sorrow. His extraordinary sporting achievements, his human sympathy, won him the affection of many Italians, sporting and otherwise. I express to the family condolences and feelings of closeness”. The funeral chamber will be held on Wednesday, on the court named after him at the Foro Italico, a symbolic place in the history of Italian tennis and the scene of many of his successes.

The opening to the public is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., to allow all fans, athletes and sports institutions to pay tribute to one of the most iconic figures of Italian sport. A short commemoration will take place at 12 noon. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has arranged for a minute’s remembrance to be observed on all official occasions in the coming days in honor of Nicola Pietrangeli, so that his example and legacy will continue to resonate on every court in Italy. There are many reactions from the tennis world, and beyond, to the champion’s death.

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Among them is that of Fabio Fognini, who relied on his social channels to remember one of the icons of Italian tennis. The Ligurian, who recently hung up his racket, posted on his Instagram account a photo of him alongside Pietrangeli during the award ceremony of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000. In that edition Fognini triumphed in the final getting the better of Dusan Lajovic after his feat against Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. “Dear Nick, a huge piece of our history goes away – wrote the Taggiasque tennis player -This picture in Monte Carlo is worth everything to me: your example, your irony, your light. You taught everyone what it means to really win. Bon voyage, legend”.

Adriano Panatta poignantly recalled Nicola Pietrangeli speaking live on Storie Italiane on Rai 1. Despite controversies over the years, the former Italian tennis player has always had great affection for his former captain in the Davis Cup: “Nicola was my friend, even if we caught each other every now and then, but it was a game we played. I want to remember him cheerfully, he was an extraordinary character, beyond being an absolute champion who won practically everything there was to win during the time he played,” explained Panatta, who won the 1976 Salad Bowl with the Italian national team led by Pietrangeli.