Flavio Cobolli: “I Have to Beat the Pressure Before I Beat the Opponent”
From pulling the ceremonial sword at an FC Cincinnati soccer game to battling through a dramatic two-hour, 29-minute opening-round victory (7-5, 4-6, 7-5) over Alexander Blockx, Flavio Cobolli is embracing his inner warrior.
Currently sitting at No. 4 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin—trailing only Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz—the 24-year-old Florentine sits down to discuss managing high expectations, carrying the Italian torch, and learning to make pressure his friend.
Q: You survived a grueling three-set match against Alexander Blockx after he served for the match in the decider. You called yourself a “warrior” on court—how did you pull that out?
Flavio Cobolli: I just fought for every point. I’m a warrior. It has been that kind of a thrilling year, but matches like that force you to dig deep. I’m just happy I managed to stay in it when things got tight at the end.
Q: This year has been transformative for you, headlined by your maiden Grand Slam final at Roland Garros. How has your life changed since Paris?
Flavio Cobolli: I did something that I never expected in my life. The people start watching you and talk a bit more and the pressure is higher, so you have to take this kind of thing and try to live with that and try to not think about it.
Q: Sitting fourth in the Race to Turin puts you in a prime position to make your debut at the Nitto ATP Finals on home soil. Is that constantly on your mind?
Flavio Cobolli: Now I feel the pressure, I think more than at the beginning of the year. It’s not always easy to play because I’m thinking about the Finals, which has been a goal since the beginning of the year and now I see that it’s not so far. Every time that I play, I’m trying not to think about it, but it’s almost impossible.
Q: How are you mentally adjusting to being a World No. 10 with a target on your back?
Flavio Cobolli: Pressure is high and I have to find a way to leave the pressure and make the pressure a friend of mine. That’s what I’m trying to do. I have to beat the pressure before I beat the opponent. I’m not afraid of the pressure, but it’s not usual for me to have it, because now in Italy we have a lot of players.
Q: With Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti sidelined with injuries, you are carrying a massive share of the spotlight for Italian tennis right now. How does that dynamic feel?
Flavio Cobolli: Jannik took all the pressure before. Lorenzo also took all my pressure. I always played freely and now it’s not easy, because Jannik is not here.
Q: Your father and coach, Stefano, took the day off to ride roller coasters at Kings Island, while you went golfing after your first match. How important are these distractions?
Flavio Cobolli: I only started playing golf some months ago, but I’m improving. For us tennis players, it’s easy to start to play golf. It helps to step away from the court and unwind.
Q: You arrived in Cincinnati following tough early exits in Umag and Montreal, and you’ve since debuted a fresh buzzcut. Despite the recent turbulence and growing spotlight, what keeps you grounded?
Flavio Cobolli: Those losses were two of the worst matches in my career, but you reset and move forward. Through everything, I always play with a great smile and I love to play tennis, so I enjoy it a lot—the journey here on tour.
