Sick and sleepless Arnaldi pulls out of French Open semifinal after night of vomiting

Matteo Arnaldi’s hopes of reaching the French Open final were dashed when he was forced to withdraw from his semifinal match against Flavio Cobolli due to illness. The Italian player, ranked 104th, had spent the night vomiting and feeling unwell, leaving him unable to compete at Roland Garros.

Arnaldi suspected that he had caught a virus, as he experienced symptoms of fever and stomach issues. Despite feeling fine during practice the day before, his condition deteriorated rapidly after dinner, leading to a sleepless night filled with bouts of vomiting. The player sought medical attention and took medication, but his condition did not improve.

The withdrawal meant that Cobolli advanced to the final, where he would face second-seeded Alexander Zverev. Arnaldi expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete after working hard to reach the semifinals, including a quarterfinal match where his countryman Matteo Berrettini retired due to injury.

Reflecting on his journey in the tournament, Arnaldi acknowledged the physical toll of the matches he had played, with a total of 19 hours and 42 minutes on court. Despite his disappointment, he knew that withdrawing was the right decision for his health and well-being.

Cobolli, while grateful for the opportunity to advance, expressed sadness at Arnaldi’s situation, calling him an inspiration to all players. The Italian duo had been set to make history as the first all-Italian men’s Grand Slam semifinal, but Arnaldi’s illness disrupted their plans.

The turn of events serves as a reminder of the physical demands and challenges that athletes face in high-pressure competitions like the French Open. Arnaldi’s withdrawal highlights the importance of prioritizing health and well-being, even in the midst of intense competition.

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