Tennis
Italy’s first Grand Slam winner Nicola Pietrangeli dies
Former Italian tennis player Nicola Pietrangeli has died at the age of 92, the press service of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) reports.
“Nicola Pietrangeli was not just a champion: he was the first to teach us what it means to truly win, on and off the court. He became the starting point of everything that our tennis has become. With him, we realized that we too can compete with the whole world,” said FITP head Angelo Binaghi.
Pietrangeli won the French Open singles title twice (1959, 1960), becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam title. He also won the title at Roland Garros in doubles and mixed doubles. Pietrangeli remains the absolute record holder for the number of Davis Cup matches played (164), matches won in singles (78). He won the tournament as captain in 1976.
Pietrangeli is the only Italian player in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Source: Sportbox
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