Italian Qualifier Arnaldi Withdraws from Roland Garros Semi-Final Against Cobolli Due to Viral Illness

Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from his maiden Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros shortly before facing fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli on Friday, citing a viral illness that left him unable to move or consume food and water. The 25-year-old's withdrawal, announced 25 minutes before the scheduled match, propels Cobolli into the final against second-seeded Alexander Zverev.

The Withdrawal and Medical Details

Arnaldi, ranked 104th, disclosed that his illness began Thursday evening when he woke around 1 a.m. with stomach pain. He experienced repeated vomiting throughout the night and consulted a doctor Friday morning. Despite attempting to assess whether competition remained possible, he ultimately determined that dizziness and physical deterioration made participation impossible.

"Every time I get up I feel dizzy," Arnaldi explained during a joint press conference with Cobolli held immediately after the withdrawal announcement. "I just know I can't move, I can't eat and I can't drink—there was no way I was able to play." He expressed remorse for the disappointment caused to the approximately 15,000 spectators already present at Court Philippe-Chatrier, with organizers confirming full refunds for ticket holders.

Arnaldi's Tournament Achievement

The withdrawal marked a bittersweet conclusion to a career-defining run. Arnaldi had invested 19 hours and 42 minutes on court to reach the semi-finals, the longest court time for any player en route to the last four of a major since 1991. He had never previously advanced beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam before this tournament.

Cobolli's Path Forward

Cobolli, seeded 10th and also Italian, advances to his first major final despite the unusual circumstances. The withdrawal raises questions about preparation advantages: while Cobolli gains rest before Sunday's final, some observers note that players typically establish match rhythm through consecutive competition during a fortnight. Rather than sitting idle, Cobolli held a practice session on the same court Friday afternoon before thousands of remaining fans.

Cobolli faces Zverev, the tournament favorite, who defeated Jakub Mensik in the other semi-final. Both players compete for their first Grand Slam title.