đź”— Share this article Azzurri Court Great Nicola Pietrangeli Dies at the Age of 92 Nicola Pietrangeli is one of only three Italian men to win a major singles title. The world of tennis is mourning a true legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, passed away at ninety-two. The player made history by becoming the initial Italian to capture a Grand Slam singles title, achieving his maiden triumph at the French Open in 1959 and retaining the coveted trophy in 1960. With a staggering 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was long held to be the nation's most accomplished player until the emergence of current world number two and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner. "Italian tennis is grieving an titan. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian enrolled in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has died," stated the Italian Tennis Federation. Beyond his two French Open successes, Pietrangeli also finished as runner-up in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964. He set a record 164 matches played for Italy in the Davis Cup, securing victories in 120 of them, and spearheaded his country to its inaugural title in 1976. Officials of the Italian Open, where he was a double winner, said: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."
Nicola Pietrangeli is one of only three Italian men to win a major singles title. The world of tennis is mourning a true legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, passed away at ninety-two. The player made history by becoming the initial Italian to capture a Grand Slam singles title, achieving his maiden triumph at the French Open in 1959 and retaining the coveted trophy in 1960. With a staggering 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was long held to be the nation's most accomplished player until the emergence of current world number two and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner. "Italian tennis is grieving an titan. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian enrolled in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has died," stated the Italian Tennis Federation. Beyond his two French Open successes, Pietrangeli also finished as runner-up in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964. He set a record 164 matches played for Italy in the Davis Cup, securing victories in 120 of them, and spearheaded his country to its inaugural title in 1976. Officials of the Italian Open, where he was a double winner, said: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."