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Italian Tennis Legend Pietrangeli Dies at 92
1 Dec
Summary
- Nicola Pietrangeli, Italian tennis champion, has died at 92.
- He was the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title.
- Pietrangeli remains the winningest Davis Cup player ever.
Nicola Pietrangeli, a towering figure in Italian tennis history, has died at the age of 92. He was celebrated not only for his Grand Slam victories but also for his enduring legacy in the Davis Cup. Pietrangeli broke barriers for Italian tennis, becoming the first to capture a major singles title at the French Open in 1959, a feat he repeated in 1960.
His contributions to the Davis Cup are unparalleled; Pietrangeli holds the records for most total wins and most singles wins, playing 164 matches for Italy. Beyond his playing career, he also coached Italy to a Davis Cup title in 1976, a pivotal moment he later described as his biggest contribution to the team's success.
Pietrangeli's impact extended beyond the court, earning him a place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Pallacorda court at the Foro Italico was renamed Stadio Pietrangeli in his honor in 2006, a testament to his profound influence on the sport in Italy.
