Flavio Cobolli one step away from glory: thoughts to Arnaldi and message to Alexander Zverev
Flavio Cobolli in the Roland Garros final without playing. The Roman tennis player landed the most important match of his career in the most unexpected way, thanks to the forfeit of compatriot Matteo Arnaldi, blocked by in virus. Just to Arnaldi comes the Azzurro’s first thought in the press conference.
“I wanted to thank you for what you did these two weeks, you were an inspiration, you fought for so many hours showing your true value. We knew the position you were in before the tournament, an injury we all know about. I never doubted your qualities and the good things you did for all of us and for yourself. You must be happy with what you have done, you are an example for how you do it. I try to imitate you mostly off the field, then on the field I go my own way. But off the field you are the example of an excellent athlete and professional. I’m sure we would have had a great battle as you and I are used to,” are the words reported by Ubitennis.
Cobolli is not sure that not playing the semifinals will help him: “Almost four days off, you can lose your rhythm. But I still hit today, I will be ready for the final. I’ll definitely be fresh, whether it helped or not I’ll tell you after the final.”
The relationship with Zverev off the court is great: “We have a great relationship, he’s the person I have the most of reference among the greats. With him I can talk sincerely, he helps me at times when he feels I need it. We talk about quibbles, not just serious things. We have a good feeling with the team, his brother gave me Kane’s jersey. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that we are adversaries, and no one has to change that. Lots of respect on the outside, but also on the field, so we’re going to battle it out.”
Cobolli will still take the field to train: “I’m going to go on the field now, to keep the gas up, I need to carb up again. I’ll try some things, feel the feel for the ball. There won’t be the tension of the match but I will try to make this practice as such, as professional as possible to be able to stay in the tournament. I feel good, the routine doesn’t change: I will go to dinner with my friends in the restaurant this week, we will celebrate the top 10.”
