A virus knocks out Arnaldi, Cobolli in the Roland Garros final without playing

The wait will not be disputed semi-final all Italian al Roland Garros: Matteo Arnaldi retires due to a virus. Flavio Cobolliwhich will be available for the first time on Monday top-10 ATPit goes like this finale where he will face on Sunday Alexander Zverev. Flavio Cobolli, currently world no. 14, thus qualifies for the Roland Garros final without taking the field.

Matteo Arnaldi (n.104 ATP) was hit by a virus that prevents him from playing. It will therefore be Flavio Cobolli in his first final in a tournament of Grand Slam to challenge the German Alexander Zverev (n. 3), who at 29 years old is still looking for his first title in a major tournament after three defeats in the final (US Open 2020, Roland Garros 2024, Australian Open 2025).

Arnaldi’s records at Roland Garros

Matteo Arnaldi is the player with the ranking lowest to reach the semi-finals of Roland Garros for almost 30 years. The tennis player originally from Sanremo played a series of marathon games in Paris, spending a total of 19 hours and 42 minutes in five matches played on the courts of Roland Garros, a record in the Grand Slam.

The story of Arnaldi’s malaise

Can a tennis player give up his lifelong dream? A few minutes before the semi-final with Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi communicated to the organizers that he couldn’t make it onto the field. “It’s difficult to be here, it’s not what I wanted to do but last night I started to feel unwell – he explains Matteo Arnaldiin press conferenceafter package announced for the Roland Garros semi-final against Flavio Cobolli – yesterday I was fine and trained. After dinner I felt a little like this, but I thought I hadn’t digested it. At 1am I started vomiting. Then I tried to sleep, then I vomited again at 7 in the morning.”

️ Arnaldi’s words on the reasons for the forfeit before the match against Cobolli in the semi-final at the Paris Slam #Tennis #RolandGarros #Arnaldi #Cobolli #Zverev pic.twitter.com/kHvQOK7sWR

— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) June 5, 2026

Arnaldi: “I’m sorry but I can’t do it”

“I didn’t sleep. I called the doctor. I was hoping it might be something that would go away, but it wasn’t getting better, I couldn’t eat. Withdraw from the first semifinal Slam It’s something you don’t wish on anyone. I tried to see if I could play, but every time I got up I felt sick. I think it’s some sort of virus, because I felt cold. I think I had fever during the day,” adds Arnaldi.

Cobolli: “Matteo has demonstrated his true value”

“I wanted to be the first thank Matteo (Arnaldi ed.) for what he has done in these two weeks. He fought for many hours on the pitch, demonstrating his true value. I wish him the best with how it went, I’m sure it would have been a great battle like we’re used to having. I hope and I am sure there will be another occasion“. Flavio Cobolli, in the press conference after the announcement of Matteo Arnaldi’s withdrawal, dedicated his first thought to Davis’ unfortunate teammate. Then he added: “At the same time I am very happy for the result obtained this week. Me and my team we hugged each other for the top 10every time I do a best ranking we hug each other. Now I’m happy and sad at the same time”, said the Roman, who at the end of the tournament he will enter for the first time in carriera in top ten.