🔗 Share this article Italy's Tennis Great Nicola Pietrangeli Dies at Ninety-Two Nicola Pietrangeli remains one of only three Italian men to secure a major singles title. The world of tennis is mourning a genuine pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, has died at 92. The player made history by emerging as the initial Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, earning his initial triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and successfully defending the prestigious trophy in 1960. With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was universally regarded as the country's finest player prior to the advent of current star and four-time 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," announced the national federation. Alongside his two French Open successes, Pietrangeli also was the finalist in Paris in both 1961 and 1964. He holds a remarkable 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. Organisers of the Italian Open, where he was a two-time winner, commented: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."
Nicola Pietrangeli remains one of only three Italian men to secure a major singles title. The world of tennis is mourning a genuine pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, has died at 92. The player made history by emerging as the initial Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, earning his initial triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and successfully defending the prestigious trophy in 1960. With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was universally regarded as the country's finest player prior to the advent of current star and four-time 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," announced the national federation. Alongside his two French Open successes, Pietrangeli also was the finalist in Paris in both 1961 and 1964. He holds a remarkable 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. Organisers of the Italian Open, where he was a two-time winner, commented: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."