🔗 Share this article Italian Court Great Nicola Pietrangeli Dies at Ninety-Two Nicola Pietrangeli is among a select trio of Italian men to secure a major singles title. Italian sport is mourning a genuine pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, has died at the age of 92. Pietrangeli etched his name by becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, securing his initial triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and retaining the prestigious trophy the following year. With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was universally regarded as the country's most accomplished player prior to the rise of current star and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner. "The sport in Italy is grieving an titan. Nicola Pietrangeli, the sole Italian honored in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," confirmed the national federation. In addition to his pair of French Open successes, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964. He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, winning 120 of them, and spearheaded his country to its inaugural title in 1976. Organisers of the Italian Open, where he was a two-time winner, commented: "We are profoundly saddened that we bid farewell to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis..."
Nicola Pietrangeli is among a select trio of Italian men to secure a major singles title. Italian sport is mourning a genuine pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, has died at the age of 92. Pietrangeli etched his name by becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, securing his initial triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and retaining the prestigious trophy the following year. With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was universally regarded as the country's most accomplished player prior to the rise of current star and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner. "The sport in Italy is grieving an titan. Nicola Pietrangeli, the sole Italian honored in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," confirmed the national federation. In addition to his pair of French Open successes, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964. He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, winning 120 of them, and spearheaded his country to its inaugural title in 1976. Organisers of the Italian Open, where he was a two-time winner, commented: "We are profoundly saddened that we bid farewell to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis..."