As the tennis world converges on Rome for the 2025 Italian Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the World No. 2 and clay-court dynamo, found himself in a lighthearted moment that captured the hearts of fans. On the eve of the UEFA Champions League semifinal between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan on May 6, 2025, Alcaraz and his team engaged in spirited banter with Italian player Flavio Cobolli during a training session at Foro Italico. The playful exchange, filled with wit and camaraderie, was caught on camera and shared by the tournament’s official social media, offering a glimpse into the Spaniard’s infectious charisma just days before his Rome campaign begins. With the football blockbuster looming, this moment showcased Alcaraz’s ability to blend his tennis stardom with his passion for the beautiful game.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz, fresh off a Monte Carlo Masters title in April, is no stranger to the spotlight. A devoted Real Madrid fan, his loyalties were tested as his beloved club fell to Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals, leaving him to root against Barcelona, Real’s arch-rivals, in the semifinal. During a practice session with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and fitness trainer Alberto Lledo Quiles, Alcaraz spotted Cobolli, a 22-year-old Italian ranked No. 31, and seized the chance for some football-fueled teasing. “It’s an Italian team!” Alcaraz quipped, playfully urging Cobolli to back Inter Milan in the high-stakes match. The clip, brimming with laughter, highlighted the easy rapport between the two players, who share a history from their junior days and a 2024 Laver Cup stint with Team Europe.
Cobolli, a Rome native enjoying a breakout season with a career-high ranking and a Munich Open title, took the ribbing in stride, his grin matching Alcaraz’s. The exchange wasn’t just about football rivalries—it reflected the mutual respect between two young stars navigating the ATP Tour. “I knew Carlos well. We are the same age, and we know each other really well,” Cobolli said last year, recalling their offseason training at Ferrero’s academy in Villena, Spain. That time together, he noted, sharpened his game and mentality, contributing to his 31 tour-level wins in 2024. Alcaraz, meanwhile, has leaned on such connections to stay grounded, balancing his status as a four-time Grand Slam champion with a down-to-earth charm that resonates beyond tennis.
Alcaraz’s love for football is well-documented. A regular at Real Madrid matches, he’s earned praise from manager Carlo Ancelotti, who referenced him in a 2024 Champions League pep talk, saying, “With our heads, our hearts, and our balls, as Alcaraz says.” His near-perfect score in a Real Madrid quiz for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promotion further cemented his superfan status. Yet, with Real out of the Champions League, Alcaraz’s playful lobbying for Inter Milan reflects his competitive spirit, even as a spectator. The Barcelona-Inter clash, a 4-3 extra-time thriller won by Inter, lived up to the hype, and Alcaraz’s banter with Cobolli added a tennis twist to the football fever gripping Europe.
On the court, Alcaraz is all business. After an arm injury forced him to skip Madrid, he’s back in Rome, where he holds a 6-3 head-to-head edge over Cobolli, including a 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 rout at the 2023 French Open. Seeded second, he faces a potential second-round match against Quentin Halys or Pablo Carreno Busta, with a semifinal showdown against Alexander Zverev possible. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I think we’ll be confident for Roland Garros,” Alcaraz said, eyeing a second French Open title. Cobolli, a wildcard in Rome, starts against Maximilian Marterer, aiming to thrill his home crowd.
The banter with Cobolli, though fleeting, underscores Alcaraz’s ability to find joy amid pressure. As he chases the World No. 2 ranking and prepares for Roland Garros, this moment of levity—set against the backdrop of a Champions League epic—reminds fans why he’s a global sensation. Whether rallying for Inter or dominating on clay, Alcaraz’s passion is undeniable, making every interaction a masterclass in charisma.
Flavio has some strong opinions about tonight’s match 🤌#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/OGPz72yQH6
— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 6, 2025
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