Flavio Cobolli, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist, revealed he called his mother in tears after watching his best friend, footballer Edoardo Bove, collapse live on television. The incident occurred during a Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter Milan in December 2024, when Bove, then on loan at Fiorentina from AS Roma, collapsed on the pitch. The match was abandoned, and emergency services rushed to the scene.
Emotional Reaction
Cobolli, who was watching the game at home, described the terrifying moment. “It was tough because I watched the game live. I was in front of my TV, and I froze immediately,” he told ATPTour.com weeks after the incident. “When I watched that moment, I called my mum, crying, and she told me, ‘Flavio, stop there, I’ll come to you’, because it was tough for me.” He added that his mother came to his side, and they waited together for news, spending a few hours to calm down.
Bove's Recovery
Bove survived after receiving immediate medical attention. He later underwent surgery to fit a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator, similar to the one worn by former Manchester United player Daley Blind. Blind has continued his career with Girona in Spain. Bove, now 24, left Roma in early 2026 and plays for Watford in the English Championship.
Cobolli's Friendship with Footballers
Cobolli, who beat Alex de Minaur in the fourth round at Wimbledon, grew up playing football alongside Bove and other future professionals, including Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori. He remains in contact with them and watches their matches. “I have many friends. Calafiori was playing with me. Now he plays for Arsenal. I watch because I love football,” Cobolli said. He also mentioned Bove's move to Watford, saying, “Now I have Edoardo Bove in the Championship. He's playing with Watford. I will always watch his matches.”
Tennis vs. Football
Cobolli acknowledged that his football background may have helped his stamina on the court, but he ultimately chose tennis because he prefers individual competition. “At the end, I don't like to play with a team; only in Davis Cup. So I decided to quit with football,” he explained. “When I play tennis, I feel different emotion, and I feel better with myself.” He noted that his former teammates still support him, and they celebrate each other's successes.
