Flavio Cobolli has issued a statement after retiring in tears from his Vienna Open second-round match against Matteo Berrettini, confirming he will undergo further tests with the aim of competing in Paris next week.
The fourth seed was trailing 2-5 when he began sobbing into his towel during the changeover. The umpire asked if he wanted to see the physio, but Cobolli declined and continued crying as Berrettini came over to console him. The 24-year-old then retired and waved goodbye to the crowd before leaving the court with a towel over his head.
Statement and next steps
In a message posted after the match, Cobolli explained his decision. “Vienna, I’m sorry to leave like this. I love this tournament and was really looking forward to facing Matteo with all of you in the stands,” he wrote.
“I felt something during my match the other night, but I wanted to give it a go. Today I realised I couldn’t keep doing without pushing it too far, so I had to stop. Those tears weren’t from pain. Just emotion, maybe a little stress, and the disappointment of having to leave the court when all I wanted was to stay out there.”
He added: “I’ll have more tests tomorrow and update you as soon as I can. Don’t worry, I’m hoping to be back on court in Paris! Thanks for all the love.”
Emotional scenes and reaction
Cobolli had received an off-court medical timeout during his opening match against Grigor Dimitrov but did not seek the trainer while facing Berrettini. Commentator Nick Lester described the scenes as “utterly devastating”.
The two Italians have known each other since childhood, with Cobolli’s father among Berrettini’s first coaches. After the match, Berrettini reflected on their journey: “The idea today was just to come on court and celebrate the journey that we are both having, you know, from Rome, small kids that were playing tennis on the weekends.”
Berrettini added: “I remember him, he was like this tall. I remember the day he chose playing tennis over football. I remember his eyes, the same eyes he has right now. This little kid was dreaming about playing on the best stages, and I think he deserves to be there, and I think he deserves the career he’s having so far.”
“I wish him nothing but the best. I’m going to try to help him. I don’t know, in any way possible. I just told him to be in the moment, to not go too far ahead with his mind and thoughts. That’s what I was doing in the past and it wasn’t really helping me, so one day at a time. I’m sure he has great doctors that they’re going to follow his recovery, and hopefully he can make it in time.”
The Paris Masters begins on Monday, while Cobolli looks set to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time, with the season-ending championships played in Turin.
