🔗 Share this article Azzurri Court Legend Nicola Pietrangeli Dies at 92 Nicola Pietrangeli stands as one of only three Italian men to secure a Grand Slam singles title. Italian sport says goodbye to a genuine legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, left us at ninety-two. He carved his legacy by becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, securing his first triumph at the French Open in 1959 and retaining the prestigious trophy the following year. With a staggering 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was universally regarded as the nation's finest player prior to the advent of current star and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner. "Italian tennis is grieving an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian honored in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the Italian Tennis Federation. Beyond his two French Open victories, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in both 1961 and 1964. He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, 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 two-time winner, said: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis..."
Nicola Pietrangeli stands as one of only three Italian men to secure a Grand Slam singles title. Italian sport says goodbye to a genuine legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, left us at ninety-two. He carved his legacy by becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, securing his first triumph at the French Open in 1959 and retaining the prestigious trophy the following year. With a staggering 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was universally regarded as the nation's finest player prior to the advent of current star and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner. "Italian tennis is grieving an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian honored in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the Italian Tennis Federation. Beyond his two French Open victories, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in both 1961 and 1964. He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, 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 two-time winner, said: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis..."