Matteo Arnaldi Withdraws from Roland Garros Semifinal Due to Viral Illness

Italian tennis player Matteo Arnaldi will not compete in the Roland Garros semifinal against fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli due to a viral illness. The Grand Slam organizers announced Arnaldi's withdrawal via social media, paving the way for Cobolli to advance to Sunday's final.

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It is difficult to be here. It is not what I wanted to do. But last night I started to feel bad. Yesterday I felt good. I came to train and did everything I had to do. I felt good. I had dinner. I started to feel bad in the stomach. I thought: ‘Well, I didn’t digest well.’ I woke up at 1 AM and started to vomit. I didn’t feel well at all and then I tried to sleep.

Cobolli is set to face Germany's Alexander Zverev in the final. Zverev reached his fourth Grand Slam final earlier, having lost the previous three. Arnaldi and Cobolli appeared together in the tournament's press room to explain the situation.

An emotional Arnaldi described feeling unwell starting the previous night, experiencing stomach discomfort that escalated to vomiting early in the morning. He stated he could not sleep and was unable to eat or drink anything without needing to use the restroom. Despite feeling well during his training and preparation earlier, the sudden illness made him feel dizzy and unwell whenever he tried to stand.

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I couldn’t sleep at all. At 6 or 7 in the morning I vomited again. This time it was quite strong. We called the doctor: he came and gave me a remedy. I hoped it was something from dinner or something like that. During the whole day I couldn’t eat. Every time I ate or drank something, I had to go to the bathroom. So it’s hard. It’s hard. For how the tournament went, for the hours I spent on the court, I actually felt very good.

"Having to withdraw from my first Grand Slam semifinal is not something you wish on anyone," Arnaldi said. He explained he attempted to prepare and stay as long as possible, hoping to play, but ultimately decided it was the "correct decision" given his condition.

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Having to withdraw from my first Grand Slam semifinal is not something that you wish on anyone. I tried to prepare and stay here as long as possible. I tried to see if I could go out on the court, but every time I got up I felt dizzy and didn’t feel well. I am quite sure that if I ate again I wouldn’t feel well. It was the correct decision.

Cobolli expressed his difficulty in speaking about the situation, admitting he almost cried when Arnaldi informed him. He stated he was ready to play the match and was saddened for his compatriot, but also happy about his own achievement. Cobolli praised Arnaldi as a "great inspiration" and a "best person off the court," acknowledging his impressive level and expected results.

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It is also difficult for me to speak now. When he told me, almost an hour ago, I almost cried. It is something you don’t expect. I was ready to play this match and when it arrived, I became totally sad for him. But at the same time, of course, I am very happy for the result I achieved this week.