Italy's Tennis Great Nicola Pietrangeli Has Died at 92

The world of tennis is mourning a genuine legend: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, has died at 92.

He carved his legacy by emerging as the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, earning his first triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and retaining the prestigious trophy the following year.

With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was long held to be the country's finest player prior to the rise of current star and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner.

"Italian tennis is grieving an legend. Nicola Pietrangeli, the sole Italian honored in the World Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," announced the Italian Tennis Federation.

Beyond his two French Open successes, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in both 1961 and 1964.

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

Organisers 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..."