In the sun-drenched courts of Monte Carlo, where the clay tests both skill and spirit, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and reigning French Open champion, has tipped a rising ATP star for greatness. After his commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 first-round victory over Giulio Zeppieri at the 2025 Roland Garros, the 22-year-old Spaniard took a moment to praise Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, a 23-year-old ranked No. 26, for his burgeoning talent. Having trained extensively with Cobolli, Alcaraz declared, “He is a really talented player. He has really good hands and touch. Physically he is great as well, moving great.” This glowing endorsement from a four-time Grand Slam winner, known for his own explosive game and charismatic presence, has turned heads, positioning Cobolli as a player to watch on the ATP Tour.
Alcaraz’s praise comes on the heels of Cobolli’s breakout 2025 season, which saw the Italian claim his first two ATP titles on clay in Hamburg and Bucharest. These triumphs, his only career titles to date, have propelled him to a career-high ranking and drawn comparisons to the relentless energy of his mentor, Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, who faced Cobolli in practice sessions during the European clay swing, noted the Italian’s growth in tactical acumen. “He was struggling with finding the right shots in the right moment, he was probably a little bit inconsistent – like me sometimes!” Alcaraz admitted with a grin, adding, “But I think he is getting that and he is becoming a great player.” Their shared training sessions, often at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Spain, have given Alcaraz a front-row seat to Cobolli’s development, from his deft drop shots to his improved court coverage, honed under coach Matteo Donati.
Cobolli’s journey mirrors Alcaraz’s own meteoric rise. Born in Florence, Cobolli turned pro in 2018 and cracked the top 100 in 2023 after a Challenger title in Lisbon. His 2025 season has been a revelation, with a 14-7 clay-court record and a Hamburg final victory over Alexander Zverev, a player Cobolli has now beaten twice. His Bucharest title, a straight-sets rout of Pierre-Hugues Herbert, showcased his ability to dominate on slower surfaces, much like Alcaraz’s own clay mastery. Alcaraz, who won Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2025, sees parallels in their aggressive baseline games. “He is going to become a really good tennis player,” Alcaraz predicted, a statement carrying weight given his own 19 ATP titles, including four majors, at just 22.
The Italian’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed by others. Rafael Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion, called Cobolli “a very young player that started his career very, very well,” praising his work ethic and humility. Cobolli’s versatility, with a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon 2024 and a second-week appearance at the 2025 Australian Open, suggests he’s no one-surface wonder. His Hamburg triumph, where he outlasted top-20 players like Dominic Thiem, marked him as a threat to the established order. Yet, like Alcaraz, Cobolli has faced criticism for inconsistency, particularly in best-of-three formats. Alcaraz’s acknowledgment of their shared flaw adds a layer of camaraderie, as both players strive for consistency under the sport’s relentless pressure.
At Roland Garros, Cobolli advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 win over qualifier Emilio Nava, setting up a potential clash with Alcaraz later in the tournament. The Spaniard, fresh off his Italian Open title over Sinner, is a favorite to defend his 2024 Roland Garros crown, where he defeated Zverev in a five-set epic. His 20-5 clay record in 2025, bolstered by titles in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, and Rome, underscores his dominance. Yet, his support for Cobolli reflects his broader role as a mentor to the ATP’s next generation. “I am just happy to see him fighting for great things in the Masters 1000,” Alcaraz said of Cobolli’s Hamburg run, echoing his own joy in competing with a smile, a trait he credits to his Murcia roots and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
As Alcaraz prepares to face Fabian Marozsan in the second round, and Cobolli takes on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the tennis world buzzes with anticipation. Cobolli’s power-packed forehand and improved decision-making, praised by Alcaraz, could see him challenge for bigger titles. “He’s a good friend of mine off the court as well,” Alcaraz noted, highlighting their bond beyond the baseline. With Alcaraz’s endorsement and Cobolli’s recent form, the Italian is poised to make waves, potentially echoing the Spaniard’s own path to stardom.
# Carlos Alcaraz Champions Rising Star Flavio Cobolli as Tennis’s Next Big Talent
## Alcaraz’s Endorsement
After his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Giulio Zeppieri at Roland Garros 2025, Carlos Alcaraz praised Flavio Cobolli, saying, “He is a really talented player. He has really good hands and touch. Physically he is great as well, moving great.” Having trained together, Alcaraz sees Cobolli’s potential: “He is going to become a really good tennis player.”
## Cobolli’s Breakout
Cobolli, 23, won clay titles in Hamburg and Bucharest in 2025, beating players like Alexander Zverev. His 14-7 clay record and No. 26 ranking mark his rise. Alcaraz noted Cobolli’s past inconsistency, “like me sometimes,” but added, “He is getting that and he is becoming a great player.”
## Shared Journey
Both players share aggressive baseline styles and train at the Ferrero Tennis Academy. Rafael Nadal echoed Alcaraz, calling Cobolli “a very young player that started his career very, very well.” Cobolli’s Wimbledon 2024 quarterfinal and Australian Open 2025 second-week run show his versatility.
## Looking Ahead
Cobolli faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Roland Garros’s second round, while Alcaraz meets Fabian Marozsan. “I am just happy to see him fighting for great things,” Alcaraz said of Cobolli’s Hamburg run. Their friendship and shared ambition signal a bright future for both on the ATP Tour.
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