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Flavio Cobolli has shared a new statement after retiring from the Vienna Open in tears. The fourth seed went 2-5 down against Matteo Berrettini during their second-round clash on Thursday night and suddenly started sobbing into his towel during the changeover. The umpire asked Cobolli if he wanted to see the physio, but he declined and continued crying as Berrettini came over to his bench to console him. The 24-year-old ultimately decided to retire and waved goodbye to the crowd through tears before leaving with a towel over his head.
The worrying scenes sparked fears that Cobolli’s season could be over. The Paris Masters begins on Monday, while the Italian looks set to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time in his career, with the season-ending championships played on home soil in Turin.
But the world No. 6 now seems keen to return as soon as possible, and has given an update, explaining that he would get new tests with a view to competing in Paris next week. “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,” Cobolli 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.
“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.”
Cobolli had received an off-court medical timeout during his opening match against Grigor Dimitrov, but did not seek out the trainer while facing Berrettini.
Commentator Nick Lester described the emotional scenes in Vienna as “utterly devastating”, as Cobolli cried into the arms of his opponent. The two Italians have known each other since they were very young, and Cobolli’s father was one of Berrettini’s first coaches, so it made the moment all the more emotional.
Afterwards, former world No. 6 Berrettini gave a moving post-match interview, reflecting on their journey together. “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,” he said.
“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.”
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