Nicola Pietrangeli, Italian Tennis Legend, Passes Away
The tennis world mourns the loss of Nicola Pietrangeli, an emblematic figure of Italian sport in the 1950s and 1960s. Pietrangeli, whose legacy still endures, passed away at the age of 92. The news was confirmed by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, which highlighted his historic career.
Pietrangeli, known for his Davis Cup records, was the first Italian tennis player to win a Grand Slam title. His victory at the 1959 French Open marked a milestone in the history of tennis in his country. He defended his title the following year, an achievement that kept him as the only Italian with two individual Grand Slam titles until Jannik Sinner surpassed his record.
I earned $150 for the 1960 title, which covered two months’ rent for my house in Rome.
In addition to his individual successes, Pietrangeli was a runner-up at Roland Garros in 1961 and 1964. In 1959, he was crowned doubles champion in Paris alongside Orlando Sirola.
His impact on the Davis Cup is undeniable. Pietrangeli holds the record for most total victories and individual victories, with 164 matches played for Italy in 66 ties. His singles record was 78-32 and in doubles 42-12. He led Italy to the Davis Cup final twice, although he did not win the title as a player.
Pietrangeli finally lifted the Davis Cup trophy as captain in 1976, guiding Adriano Panatta, Corrado Barazzutti, Paolo Bertolucci and Antonio Zugarelli to victory over Chile.
After his retirement as a player and coach, Pietrangeli became a revered figure in Italian tennis. In 2006, the Pallacorda court of the Foro Italico was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli in his honor.
Nicola Chirinsky Pietrangeli was born in Tunis, then a French colony, to an Italian father and a Russian mother.
