Following Italy’s triumphant victory at the Davis Cup, Rome native Flavio Cobolli is taking a well-deserved break in the Maldives.The 22-year-old player, a key contributor to Italy’s historic win, is reflecting on the overwhelming support he received from fans and teammates during the competition. Cobolli’s candid comments offer a glimpse into the team’s celebrations and the emotional weight of securing the championship title in Bologna.
Fresh off Italy’s thrilling Davis Cup victory, Rome native Flavio Cobolli is enjoying a well-deserved vacation in the Maldives, reflecting on the incredible support he received. “It’s an unforgettable feeling to hear my name chanted by an entire stadium,” he said.
The euphoria of Italy’s run to the Davis Cup title is still sinking in for Flavio Cobolli, who is now enjoying some downtime in the Maldives. “I’m still processing everything that happened in Bologna,” Cobolli admitted, heading to the airport the day after the historic win. “It’s all been a bit surreal.”
How did the team celebrate the championship?
“Bologna wasn’t exactly buzzing late Sunday night – not many places were open. We ended up at one spot with just the team, dancing and having some pretty wild conversations. It was fun, but it could have been even more eventful…”
Where will you put the Davis Cup trophy?
“My grandfather has already claimed it! He’s showing it off to his friends in Rome. But I’m getting it back as soon as I return from the Maldives.”
Why are so many tennis players, including Jannik Sinner, heading to the Maldives? Do you have a team deal?
“Luckily, none of the Italian team will be at my resort! I’m traveling with my girlfriend and a couple of friends. Bove isn’t with us – he wasn’t in Bologna on Sunday, but I spoke to him. Edo is always with me.”
Who else has reached out?
“My Roma team! Daniele De Rossi sent me a beautiful message, and Bruno Conti and Antonello Venditti called. My phone is flooded with messages, but I’ve been focusing on responding to the people closest to me. I’ll get to everyone eventually.”
Looking back at the tournament – the nail-biting wins over Austria, Belgium, and Spain – what stands out most from this Davis Cup run, Flavio?
“Everything. I’ve never experienced an emotion like it. I’ve never heard a stadium erupt with my name. I have memories that will last a lifetime. But most of all, I had fun.”
Even when you were down a set and a break against Munar in the final?
“Yes, because in that moment, I was learning.”
What specifically did you learn?
“Filippo Volandri was right: in the Davis Cup, it’s not always about the top players. Alcaraz didn’t win last year in Malaga, and Zverev lost in the semifinals in Bologna. I realized that having a strong connection to the team and a desire to win are even more important than your individual skills.”
Was there also a sense of pride in proving that the Italian team isn’t solely reliant on Sinner?
“Jannik is essential, in everything he does. I’m not sure what clicked in Bologna. A conviction grew over time, like we had become invincible. Everyone played their part: Sonego didn’t miss a point, even when he needed to use the restroom, Vavassori and Bolelli were cheering us on relentlessly, I supported Matteo, and Matteo ran to support me. It was an incredible team effort, where everyone made a fundamental contribution.”
And what about asking for salt to dissolve under your tongue?
“I had played three hours against Bergs, and the match against Munar was also going long. I knew I needed to dig deep. Fearing cramps, I took preventative action. I asked Filippo for salt, and the bench sprang into action – someone ran to get it from the kitchen in the arena.”
Your father, Stefano, who coaches you, said he didn’t think you could beat Munar, but now he can say his son is a champion.
“Those are difficult words to hear from my father – we express our emotions differently in my family. He didn’t actually say it to me. But I saw happiness and emotion in his eyes at the end, like during the quarterfinals at Wimbledon against Djokovic. I’ll carry that with me forever.”
Do you believe this Davis Cup victory will change your life and career? Will you be able to carry this momentum into next year, starting with the Australian Open and the ATP circuit?
“My career has progressed step by step. I’m maturing gradually, without rushing or making sudden changes, which is how I like it. Every challenge I face helps me grow and mature. I’ve participated in team tennis competitions – the Davis Cup, Laver Cup, Hopman Cup, United Cup – first as a reserve and then as a player. I’ve experienced everything authentically, almost naively, without missing a step. I built my foundation first, then became a protagonist. The road is being built. And this Davis Cup win in Bologna will always be a pivotal moment on my journey.”
The importance of the team. You mentioned looking at Berrettini and your teammates on the bench during the match against Munar and thinking: I can’t let them down.
“I feared embarrassment. Literally. But when you’re wearing the blue jersey, you can’t afford to let that happen. It will never happen. In Bologna, I was forced to turn obstacles into advantages. Twice, I reversed very negative situations. In that sense, I surprised even myself.”
As the No. 22 ranked player, will you be setting ranking goals, tournament targets, or match-based objectives in 2026?
“That’s something we’ll decide after the holidays, during the offseason. I trust those who support me, starting with my father, so I’ll rely on their guidance. I have a clear idea of where I want to go: into the top 10. I don’t know when or how, but at this point, the bar needs to be raised. To keep up with Jannik and the top players, I need to address my weaknesses. That doesn’t mean I feel obligated to win every time, quite the opposite. You only grow by playing, losing, and winning.”
This is Italy’s third consecutive Davis Cup title in the modern era, but the story began with the ancestors’ victory in ‘76. What do you know about that history?
“I watched the docuseries about the success in Chile, the first for Italian tennis. Matteo teases me, saying I only watched the highlights…”
Berrettini says you’re not heroes, that the real heroes are others: who, Flavio?
“He’s right. Heroes are those who contribute to the good of the world every day. I just play tennis, and I feel really satisfied when I do my job well.”
