Time takes its toll on everyone, and elite athletes are no exception. After retiring from professional play, many tennis stars face lingering paināand for Nicola Pietrangeli, the iconic Italian who dominated the sport with decades-defining victories, that pain is all too real.
To put his career in perspective, Pietrangeli was considered Italyās greatest player of all timeāuntil recently, when Jannik Sinner emerged as the new star. Now 91 years old, Pietrangeli opened up in an exclusive interview with SuperTennis about the daily consequences of competing at the highest level for 15 seasons.
His first words were stark: āThatās life: painful and boringā. But the two-time Roland Garros champion (1959, 1960) elaborated, sharing a candid confession that resonated deeply: āI want a day without pain. This pain I suffer keeps me from movingā.
The discomfort plagues his lower back near the sacrum. Expanding on his struggles, Pietrangeli admitted, āTheyāve tried everything. My friends call me to play cards, but I need to rest.ā He added, āEven though I spend the whole day in bed, I donāt get a day of relief from this painā.
Fabio Fognini of Italy holds his winners trophy with the last Italian winner of the tournament in 1968 Nicola Pietrangeli. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Pietrangeli holds the record for most Davis Cup wins, cementing his status as a true legend of the historic tournament. He was also often seen supporting Italyās top players, particularly in tennis, forming a close bond with Fabio Fogniniāfamously jumping onto the clay to hand Fognini his trophy after the Monte Carlo Masters victory.
see also
She is a former World No. 1 and US Open champion who retired at 25 amid physical bullying struggles
Reflecting on life as he nears 92, Pietrangeli didnāt hold back: āIām tired. Tired of being tired. I donāt know what Iāll be like in two weeks. It wonāt change anythingā. He added with grim humor, āIām like a worm. I watch TV, I watch Netflix, and even just holding the remote, I get in the wayā.
Pietrangeli opens up about mental health
When it comes to his mental state, Pietrangeli didnāt hold back. āMy mind slips a little. I can remember things I did 50 years ago, but not what I did the day before yesterday,ā he said at first. Moments later, he added a sobering reflection that left listeners stunned: āI feel like any day, it just wonāt work anymoreā.
The former bronze medalist at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, who retired just five years later, made clear the toll these lingering pains have taken on his life. The interview ended as poignantly as it began. āAs my son says: āIāve beaten cancer, but not old age,āā Pietrangeli concluded.
