Azzurri Tennis Legend Nicola Pietrangeli Dies at the Age of 92

The world of tennis mourns a true icon: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, left us at 92.

Pietrangeli etched his name by becoming the first Italian to capture a Grand Slam singles title, securing his first triumph at the French Open in 1959 and successfully defending the coveted trophy a year later.

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

"The sport in Italy is mourning an legend. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the Italian Tennis Federation.

Beyond his pair of French Open successes, Pietrangeli also was the finalist in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964.

He set a remarkable 164 matches played for Italy in the prestigious team competition, winning 120 of them, and led his country to its first 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 true legend of Italian tennis..."