Nicola PietrangeliAn indisputable reference Italian tennis One of the legends of sports around the world has died at the age of 92. His death, announced on Monday, marks the end of an era for the sport in Italy and will leave a legacy that transcends generations. The former tennis player was the first player from his country to win a title Major SlamsHe was crowned champion twice Roland Garros He was the captain of the team that led Italy to its historic victory in the World Cup Davis Cup 1976.
Throughout his career, Pietrangeli has accumulated achievements that have made him a historical reference. He won the French Open twice in a row (1959 and 1960), and reached the final on two other occasions. next to, He added two titles in Rome and a total of 48 singles titles. His record in the tag team tournament called the Silver Salad Bowl remains unsurpassed, with 164 games played, a number that made him the player with the most appearances in the history of the competition. He was also a medalist at the 1963 Mediterranean Games, where he defeated the Spanish Manolo Santana In the final in Naples, he reached the semi-finals Wimbledon.
Pietrangeli’s influence on Italian and international tennis was profound. His leadership and charisma have inspired generations of athletes and fans. Angelo Benaggipresident Italian Tennis and Paddle Federation (FITP) expressed that with his departure, Italian tennis loses its greatest symbol and personally loses a friend. When announcing the news, FITP stressed the following: “Italian tennis mourns its idol”. One of the first to react to his passing was another star in tennis history: Rafael NadalThe multiple Roland Garros champion and holder of 22 Grand Slam titles sent a message of condolence to the Pietrangeli family and the entire Italian tennis community, recalling the importance of the former tennis player’s legacy.
Rafa wrote on social networks: “I have just learned of the sad news of the passing of a great Italian and world tennis player. I offer my deepest condolences to his entire family, his son Filippo and the entire Italian tennis family. Rest in peace, Nicola.”
In recent years, Pietrangeli faced health problems and the loss of his son Giorgio, who died at the age of 59 due to a serious illness.. Nicola himself, in recent interviews, shared the physical and emotional pain he was going through: “I overcame cancer but not old age.”I confess. He stated that he suffers from constant pain that prevents him from moving, and that the days seem long and difficult. Regarding the death of his son, he expressed: “I see him as if he were here. I remember his suffering. He was sick, did not get out of bed, and suffered a lot,” he expressed in a memorandum he submitted to Super tennis.
born in Tunisia On September 11, 1933, Pietrangeli moved to Rome with an Italian father and Russian mother Rome After his family was expelled from his homeland. His personal history was marked by multiculturalism and uprooting, but also by his deep connection to global tennis. In 1963, after participating in the Republic Open Championship Buenos AiresHe toured Argentina with Enrique Morea Holding exhibitions in different cities. He maintained close relationships with Argentine and Spanish tennis figures, e.g Soriano tattoo, Guillermo Vilas, Jose Luis Clerc And Manolo Santana. In 2014, he returned to Argentina to watch the Davis Cup series between Italy and the local team.
Nicola Pietrangeli’s mark on Italian tennis is indelible. His example and victories paved the way for Italy to dream big and compete at the highest level. His personality will remain a reference point for those who aspire to leave a mark in the history of sports. This was the case of one of the new sports figures, such as: Yannick SinerWho continues his legacy in the men’s ring.
