Azzurri Court Legend Nicola Pietrangeli Passes Away at the Age of 92

The world of tennis says goodbye to a authentic icon: Nicola Pietrangeli, a double French Open champion, passed away at the age of 92.

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

With a remarkable 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was long held to be the nation's finest player prior to the advent of current world number two and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner.

"The sport in Italy is grieving an legend. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian honored in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has died," stated the national federation.

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

He holds a record 164 matches played for Italy in the Davis Cup, securing victories in 120 of them, and led his country to its maiden title in 1976.

Organisers of the Italian Open, an event where he was a two-time winner, commented: "It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a veritable legend of Italian tennis..."