Azzurri Court Icon Nicola Pietrangeli Has Died at Ninety-Two

Nicola Pietrangeli

Nicola Pietrangeli stands as among a select trio of Italian men to secure a major singles title.

The world of tennis says goodbye to a authentic legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, passed away at ninety-two.

He carved his legacy by emerging as the initial Italian to secure a Grand Slam singles title, earning his initial triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and successfully defending the prestigious trophy a year later.

With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was widely considered the nation's finest player until the advent of current star and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner.

"Italian tennis is grieving an titan. Nicola Pietrangeli, the sole Italian inducted in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has died," confirmed the national federation.

Alongside his pair of French Open successes, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964.

He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, securing victories in 120 of them, and spearheaded his country to its maiden title in 1976.

Officials of the Italian Open, where he was a two-time winner, stated: "We are profoundly saddened that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis..."

Margaret Crane
Margaret Crane

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