“Something that I dreamed of since when I was young” – Cobolli on Grand Slam breakthrough
The Italian is through to his first ever Grand Slam quarter-final where he will meet 24-time Grand Slam champion Noval Djokovic
Flavio Cobolli, Wimbledon 2025
Image Credit: Gepa / Psnewz
Before this year’s Wimbledon Championships, Italy’s Flavio Cobolli had never made it to the fourth round at a Grand Slam. He broke through that barrier last week and went one step further on Monday to reach his first career Grand Slam quarter-final. And the Italian did it at Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament on the calendar.
Cobolli needed four sets to beat former Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 to finally achieve something he had been dreaming of since he was a child.
“(This) is something that I dream since when I was young, since when I start to play tennis. Everyone on my family, on my team, told me every day that I (am) born to play match like this because they saw me
really electric on the court. They always told me that I live for this kind of match,” Cobolli told the media after his win on Monday.
“I think is true because I really love to play against a big player, against a legend of our sport. I like to play on this kind of stage, this kind of tournament. I really love to play here in Wimbledon. I love to play on grass. Now I’m real emotional because this is the day that I never forget, for sure. I play really good match today. I’m very proud of myself, about my attitude on the court. I think I believe since the first point of the match to win today. I am really, really happy.”
They always let me free since when I was young. They always help me to growing up like this.
The 23-year-old Italian credited his family, especially his father who also doubles up as his coach, for helping him to get to this point.
“They always let me free since when I was young. They always help me to growing up like this. So I think they are really important for me. My dad is also my coach. Is something different about the normal player. But now I can see that many players – Zverev, many other players – has a father like a coach. I
think it’s help me a lot. For sure is tough, but have my father or my family here is something special,” the world No 24 added.
Up next for Cobolli is a clash against the seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, who is seeded sixth year. It will be played on the biggest court that Cobolli has played on but the Italian wants to keep the focus on enjoying the day.
“(It) will be for sure a day that I never forget because I always want to play on this kind of court. I don’t want to think about the court. I just want to enjoy the day. I just want to enjoy the court also, the crowd. I want to be positive and I want to be like I did in first four round. I want to play my game. I don’t want to think about the other player. I want to think about myself. I want to have fun every point I play in this kind of stage,” Cobolli concluded.
