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

Italian sport is mourning a authentic pioneer: Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open champion, has died at the age of 92.

Pietrangeli etched his name by becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles title, securing his initial triumph at Roland Garros in 1959 and successfully defending the coveted trophy in 1960.

With an impressive 48 career titles, Pietrangeli was long held to be the nation's most accomplished player until the advent of current star and four-time major winner Jannik Sinner.

"Italian tennis is mourning an icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has passed away," confirmed the Italian Tennis Federation.

In addition to his pair of French Open successes, Pietrangeli also reached the final in Paris in the years 1961 and 1964.

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

Organisers of the Italian Open, where he was a double winner, stated: "We are profoundly saddened that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis..."