Italy's Court Legend Nicola Pietrangeli Passes Away at 92

Nicola Pietrangeli

Nicola Pietrangeli remains one of only three Italian men to secure a major singles title.

The world of tennis says goodbye to a genuine pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, passed away at ninety-two.

The player made history by emerging as the initial Italian to secure a Grand Slam singles title, securing his first triumph at the French Open in 1959 and retaining the prestigious trophy a year later.

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

"The sport in Italy is mourning an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian inducted in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the Italian Tennis Federation.

Beyond his pair of French Open victories, Pietrangeli also was the finalist in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964.

He holds a remarkable 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, winning 120 of them, and guided his country to its inaugural title in 1976.

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

Elizabeth Martin
Elizabeth Martin

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