Oct 11, 2020; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal (ESP) is presented with the trophy by Nicola Pietrangeli after his match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros.

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Former Roland Garros Champ Nicola Pietrangeli Passes Away Aged 92, Rafael Nadal Extends Condolences

Pietrangeli graced the hallowed clay with his panache long before Nadal emerged as the king.

Oct 11, 2020; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal (ESP) is presented with the trophy by Nicola Pietrangeli after his match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros.

Italian tennis icon Nicola Pietrangeli passed away at the age of 92 on Monday. The legendary sensation was a two-time Roland Garros champion in men’s singles, and also won a title each in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles categories at the clay court major. Upon winning the championship at the French capital in 1959, Pietrangeli became the first Italian man to win a singles Grand Slam trophy. He went on to retain his crown the following year.

In addition to his two singles triumphs in 1959 and 1960, Pietrangeli also finished as the runner-up in 1961 and 1964. Before the emergence of Jannik Sinner, the 92-year-old was regarded as the unrivaled greatest Italian tennis player of all time. He had 44 career singles titles, and eight doubles successes to go with it. Pietrangeli also played football for the professional club Lazio until the age of 18.

Nicola Pietrangeli has passed away at the age of 92. A four-time Roland-Garros champion and an iconic figure in Italian tennis, he leaves an extraordinary legacy. He will be greatly missed by the tennis world. pic.twitter.com/05tzmMYyfR
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) December 1, 2025

Born in Tunis, Pietrangeli started playing tennis inside a prison camp. It was only at the age of 19 that the Italian sensation committed to the sport full-time, and eventually touched impeccable heights. After being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1986, Pietrangeli had the second largest tennis stadium at the Foro Italico named after him twenty years later.

Rafael Nadal and the Tennis World Mourns the Death of Nicola Pietrangeli

The unexpected demise of Pietrangeli has left the tennis fraternity in a state of shock and dismay. 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal was one of the big names to express his sadness upon hearing the news. “I have just learnt about the sad news of the demise of a great of Italian and world tennis,” said the southpaw. “My deepest condolences to his entire family, his son Filippo, and the entire Italian tennis family. RIP Nicola!”

Ho appena saputo della triste notizia della partenza di un grande del tennis italiano e mondiale.

Le mie più sentite condoglianze a tutta la sua famiglia, il suo figlio Filippo, e tutta la famiglia del tennis italiano. DEP Nicola pic.twitter.com/rs1ql2vAU6
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 1, 2025

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Italian Tennis Federation (FITP) were not far behind in their condolences. “Nicola Pietrangeli was the true embodiment of everything the Davis Cup represents – passion, prestige and pride in representing your nation,” ITF President David Haggerty wrote. Pietrangeli won 120 out of 164 matches for Italy at the Davis Cup, and also led them to their first title in 1976.

Honouring Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli 💚🤍❤️ pic.twitter.com/ON96CrEDbp
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 1, 2025

“Italian tennis is mourning an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian inducted into the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has died,” confirmed the FITP early on Monday.

(Image Credits: Susan Mullane, Imagn Images)

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Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.