Azzurri Tennis Icon Nicola Pietrangeli Passes Away at the Age of 92

The world of tennis is mourning a genuine legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, passed away at the age of 92.

Pietrangeli etched his name by emerging as the first Italian to secure a Grand Slam singles title, securing his initial triumph at the French Open in 1959 and retaining the coveted trophy in 1960.

With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was widely considered the nation's greatest ever player until the advent of current star and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner.

"The sport in Italy is mourning an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian enrolled in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," confirmed the national federation.

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

He boasts a record 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, winning 120 of them, and guided his country to its maiden title in 1976.

Organisers of the Italian Open, where he was a double winner, stated: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."