Italy's Tennis Great Nicola Pietrangeli Dies at Ninety-Two

The world of tennis says goodbye to a true pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, passed away at the age of 92.

Pietrangeli etched his name by emerging as the initial Italian to secure a Grand Slam singles title, earning his maiden triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and successfully defending the prestigious trophy in 1960.

With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was widely considered the country's greatest ever player prior to the rise of current star and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner.

"The sport in Italy is in mourning for an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the sole Italian enrolled in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the national federation.

Beyond his two French Open triumphs, Pietrangeli also was the finalist in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964.

He set a record 164 matches played for Italy in the Davis Cup, winning 120 of them, and led his country to its first title in 1976.

Officials of the Italian Open, where he was a double winner, said: "It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."