ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2026

Flavio Cobolli

Press Conference

F. COBOLLI/Z. Svajda

6-2, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Flavio, well done on reaching another Grand Slam quarterfinal. What were you thinking when he got back to 5-All in the fourth set?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: First of all, I'm very happy to reach my first quarterfinal here in Roland Garros. That means a lot for me.

Yeah, I was a little bit nervous to close the match today. Like I said before, it means a lot, this tournament, for me. Sometimes it's not easy when you have to close, especially when you are up in the score like I was today.

But I think also Zachary played a really good match today after the second set, so tennis is like this. It's special to play because it's like this.

At the end, I was happy, and that's the important thing.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. You said, I think twice, in your on-court interview that you felt like you were about to shit your pants during the match, and I'm just wondering how...

FLAVIO COBOLLI: It was false. I mean, I didn't. (Laughter.)

Q. Well, congratulations on that also. The nerves of this tournament, obviously people are talking about the draw and how open it is. Do you feel even more there is a different kind of tension in the men's competition here?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: No, just because the match is fourth round, you serve for the match, and it's not easy, especially because I never played fourth round here.

It's my first time, and the experience is not high. Sometimes you have to pass this moment to have more chance to be better on the next one.

Q. You said it's not easy. You know, you were having such a sort of easy time most of the match. Why is it different in those closing moments? The ball's the same, the shots are the same, the courts are the same.

FLAVIO COBOLLI: Yeah, of course.

Q. What happens in your heart, in your head, in your mind, that changes, makes it different?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: I think when the match is almost done, you start to think of it, and that's the problem with my, I think with my character, because I don't like to think a bit.

I just want to play, play my best tennis possible. But if I think, especially if I'm nervous, I start to play a different tennis, and of course the Chatrier is not easy for everyone. So I think also the court was tough.

Q. When you were younger, you played for the Academy of Roma Calcio. Can you say how close were you to deciding to be a football player rather than a tennis player? Can you talk a little bit about your friendship with Riccardo Calafiori?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: A lot. Everyone knows that I was a football player, also. I even like more than tennis when I was young.

But at the end, I don't like to play with a team; only in Davis Cup. So I decide to quit with football. I mean, when I play tennis, I feel different emotion, and I feel better with myself.

But, yeah, I play with many guys that now are doing pretty well, like Calafiori, Bove, Zalewski, Cancellieri. We were in the same team, and we have a good relationship. I mean, if I win a good match, they write me, and the same with them.

Q. When you were trailing in the fourth set, when you were down, what were the conversations you were having? What was going through your head? What were you telling yourself? And what helped you come out of that?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: I tried to stay a little bit positive. I was starting to be a little bit nervous, also with my team.

So I tried to play my tennis, to play harder as possible, and I took my time also after the point. I was a little bit with less energy from other three sets. So I think I just played my tennis without thought, and at the end, it works.

Q. Obviously the men's draw this year is more open than it used to be. Is this something mentally that changes the way you approach matches or not?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: No, no. Same way as always. I just want to enjoy the tournament. I just want to enjoy the match. It's incredible honor to play on Chatrier. So it's dream come true for me, and I want to keep this dream open.

Q. You say that this tournament means a lot for you. Have you particular memories of Roland Garros when you were young in front of the TV?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: Yeah, I mean, like I said before in the court, it's for sure my favorite Grand Slam to play, because we born on clay, and we have best feeling with the surface as Italians.

So I have many memories, but I think the best one is Rafa, Rafa running during these years that no one forget.

Q. Did you manage to watch the Champions League final? What's it like watching your friends playing sport compared to being an athlete yourself?

FLAVIO COBOLLI: You asked me if I watched or...

Q. Yes.

FLAVIO COBOLLI: I did. I start from the 20th minute. It was, I mean, Arsenal score, and Paris start to play a little bit better, I think, and I think they deserve to win the Champions League.

It was a little bit unlucky for Riccardo, I think. I mean, he doesn't play, but for sure he have more chance to play this kind of match. So I wish him good luck.