Flavio Cobolli will give it a go in Paris, after suffering a difficult injury in Vienna that forced him to retire.
Chris OddoOctober 30, 20262 minute read
Flavio Cobolli has provided a positive update on the injury that forced him to retire from his second-round match against Matteo Berrettini in Vienna on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Italian, who is bidding to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time, retired in tears while trailing his compatriot 5-2 in the opening set.
It was a gripping scenario, with injured Cobolli breaking down in tears after retiring the match. The Italian was consoled at his chair by compatriot and fellow Roman Matteo Berrettini, who knows a thing or two about having his best moments sabotaged by injuries.
After Cobolli left the court, Berrettini opened up about his friend.
“I’m so sorry for him. I’ve been there many times, maybe too many times,” Berrettini said. “That’s why I got emotional. I know how tough it can be. I know how much he wants to be in Turin, and the last thing that you want is getting an injury a few weeks before. But hopefully it’s not going to be anything too serious.”
On Friday, Cobolli took to Instagram to reveal the results of medical tests and confirm his intention to compete at next week’s Paris Masters.
“Today I underwent medical tests, which revealed a minor muscle strain,” Cobolli wrote. “I will travel to Paris on Saturday and do everything possible to play in the tournament.”
Cobolli, currently sixth in the Race to Turin, is hoping to secure one of the four remaining singles berths at the ATP Finals. Next week’s Paris Masters represents the final opportunity for players to earn qualification points.
After Thursday’s retirement, Cobolli explained that his tears were not caused by pain, but by emotion, stress and disappointment at having to abandon the match.
For now, the Italian remains hopeful of competing in Paris, where he will attempt to put the finishing touches on a breakthrough season and qualify for his first trip to the ATP Finals. Italian fans, saddened by Jannik Sinner’s early withdrawal from the event, will no doubt be elated if Cobolli comes up good.
He is slated to face either Arthur Gea or a qualifier in his second-round match in Paris, after a bye.
