In an unexpected turn of events at the French Open, Matteo Arnaldi has withdrawn from his semifinal match against fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli. Arnaldi was set to compete on Court Philippe-Chatrier but became ill shortly before the match.
The 25-year-old, ranked No. 104 in the world, experienced symptoms of a virus that left him unable to play, prompting his withdrawal approximately 20 minutes before their scheduled match time. Tournament organizers confirmed that fans will receive refunds for their tickets.
Flavio Cobolli Advances to the Final
With Arnaldi’s withdrawal, Flavio Cobolli automatically advances to the final. Cobolli expressed his concerns for Arnaldi during a joint press conference, stating, “When he came to me almost one hour ago, I felt completely sad for him.”
Arnaldi’s Condition
Arnaldi reported feeling unwell since Thursday evening. After a dinner, he returned to his hotel, only to experience severe symptoms overnight. He woke up sick and vomiting, stating, “I had a fever too during the day. I can’t move, I can’t eat, I can’t drink. There was no way I would be able to play.” The Italian expressed disappointment for the fans who anticipated the match.
Historical Context
This incident marks the first time a player has pulled out of a Grand Slam semifinal since 2022. At that time, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Wimbledon semifinals, allowing Nick Kyrgios to advance to his first Grand Slam final, which he ultimately lost to Novak Djokovic.
Upcoming Final Match
Flavio Cobolli will face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in the final. Zverev secured his spot by defeating Czech player Jakub Menšík earlier on Friday.
Tournament Highlights
The 2023 French Open has seen an assortment of surprising events, including:
- Carlos Alcaraz’s inability to defend his title due to a wrist injury.
- Jannik Sinner facing health issues and losing to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in five sets.
- Novak Djokovic’s unusual loss after leading two sets to none against João Fonseca.
- Maja Chwalińska, ranked No. 114, advancing to the women’s final.
- Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, losing in the quarterfinals after leading her match.
- Iga Świątek, a four-time champion, exiting in the fourth round.
- Defending champion Coco Gauff being eliminated in the third round.
As the tournament progresses, many are eager to witness how this unfolding drama will influence the outcomes in the final matches at Roland Garros.
