Azzurri Tennis Legend Nicola Pietrangeli Passes Away at the Age of 92

The world of tennis mourns a authentic legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, left us at ninety-two.

Pietrangeli etched his name by emerging as the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, earning his initial triumph at the French Open in 1959 and successfully defending the coveted trophy a year later.

With an impressive 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was long held to be the country's most accomplished player until the rise of current star and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner.

"Italian tennis is grieving an legend. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian enrolled in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the national federation.

Alongside his two French Open successes, Pietrangeli also was the finalist in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964.

He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, securing victories in 120 of them, and led his country to its first title in 1976.

Organisers of the Italian Open, an event where he was a double winner, stated: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."