The champion from Bucharest 2025, qualification in tears in the final of the ATP 500 tournament in Munich
Article by Luminița Paul – Published Saturday, April 18, 2026, 5:08 p.m. / Updated Saturday, April 18, 2026, 5:21 p.m.
Flavio Cobolli (23, No. 16 ATP) advanced to the final act of the tournament in Munich after a quick 6-3, 6-3 win in 69 minutes over defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany (28, No. 3 in the world). At the end, the Italian burst into tears, after the recent death of a friend who was only 13 years old.
It will be the fifth final of his career Flavio Cobolli and third on clay, after those won in 2025 at Bucharest and Hamburg. In Munich, the ATP 500 tournament, he provided an almost error-free performance contested in front of the title holder, Alexander Zverev.
Everything worked in the Italian's game, a round performance without cracks, starting with those 7 aces and 75% first serve success and culminating in an impressive final tally of winning shots: 32!
His opponent, who appeared physically diminished, found no way to trouble Flavio throughout the match 69 minuteshow long the semi-final lasted. He made a break from two opportunities, but that was it, the rest belonged to Cobolli.
It was the younger player's first win against the German, the latter having won their first two meetings in minimum sets, both in 2025 at Roland Garroson slag, and at Halleon the grass.
Flavio Cobolli, tears for a recently deceased friend
At the end, however, after the greeting from the net, Flavio burst into unstoppable tears, the reason being the recent death of a friend. “This win is for a friend who is no longer with us. He was only 13 years old and left us too soon“, the Italian then explained.
L'émotion de Flavio Cobolli, en tears, après sa victoire against Alexander Zverev, n°3 in the world, at the premiere of his career against a Top 5.
The Italian played an incredible match and he cracked après la balle de match en raison du decease d'un de ses prochespic.twitter.com/NLCqJIFV8Z
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) April 18, 2026
The reference is to a teenager who died on Thursday evening, in the Coppede district of the capital Rome, after falling from a window of the apartment where he lived. The police reportedly found a note in his room that said “I'm sick of school.” His name was Mattia Maselli and he was a promising youngster from the Parioli Tennis Club. “Every point I play, every ball I touch, every step I take, I'll think of you“, Flavio wrote on Instagram after the victory in the “quarters” with Vik Kopriva. “Tennis School will never be the same without you, but I promise you will never be forgotten“, he added.
Cobolli also analyzed the game just finished. “It's one of the best matches I've played in my entire career” Cobolli said in the on-field interview. “He's a really good friend of mine on the circuit, a great guy. His team helps me during the season, that's why it's a bit difficult to play against him, I'm a bit shy when I meet the top playersFlavio added.
3Flavio Cobolli has ATP titles in his records, Bucharest, Hamburg 2025 and Acapulco 2026
“I'm happy with my development and the way I handled the tough moments in the match. Now I think I'm ready to get back on the court and finally fight again“, he added.
In the last act, he will face the winner of the second semi-final, the one between Ben Shelton and Alex Molcan.
