Cobolli uses Nadal’s shower cubicle in French Open run
9 reported
Flavio Cobolli is two wins from a maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open and has adopted several superstitions, including using the shower cubicle favored by 14-time champion Rafael Nadal. The 24-year-old Italian beat Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets to reach his first major semi-final. Cobolli will face fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final. Arnaldi advanced after compatriot Matteo Berrettini retired from their quarter-final due to a hip injury. Cobolli said he is “a little bit more crazy than the others” this week, sticking to the same restaurant, menu, and shower. He recalled a previous French Open when Nadal knocked on the door asking him to hurry up, saying it was “his shower since 14 years.” Cobolli recovered from losing the first set to win 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 in three hours and 24 minutes.
What’s reported
Flavio Cobolli is two wins away from a maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open.
He beat Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets (4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4) to reach his first major semi-final.
Cobolli will play fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final.
Arnaldi advanced after Matteo Berrettini retired from their quarter-final due to a hip injury.
Cobolli uses the same shower cubicle that Rafael Nadal has used for 14 years.
Cobolli said he is “a little bit more crazy than the others” this week, keeping the same restaurant, menu, and shower.
Cobolli will make his top-10 debut on Monday if Jakub Mensik fails to win the title.
An Italian finalist is guaranteed after Jannik Sinner’s second-round exit and Lorenzo Musetti’s injury withdrawal.
Cobolli and second seed Alexander Zverev are the only top-10 seeds remaining in the men’s draw.
Key figures
Flavio Cobolli: Italian tennis player, 24 years old, 10th seed
Felix Auger-Aliassime: Canadian tennis player, fourth seed
Matteo Arnaldi: Italian tennis player
Matteo Berrettini: Italian tennis player, former Wimbledon finalist
Rafael Nadal: 14-time French Open champion
Jakub Mensik: tennis player in the other semi-final
Alexander Zverev: German tennis player, second seed
Jannik Sinner: Italian tennis player, overwhelming favorite who exited in second round
Lorenzo Musetti: Italian tennis player ruled out due to injury
Sources: BBC News
